County settles over gender bias complaint

Flathead County has agreed to an $85,000 settlement with its longtime fairgrounds administrative assistant in the wake of a gender bias complaint against Fairgrounds Manager Mark Campbell.

Nuggett Carmalt’s complaint against Campbell was settled through the state Human Rights Bureau. Documents provided to the bureau allege gender-based grievances.

The county has been tight-lipped about the personnel matter, however.

On Thursday, Campbell denied any differential treatment toward Carmalt.

“I deny that I treated her with bias,” he said.

Still, the agreement document indicates the deal was reached so the bureau wouldn’t take Carmalt’s claim forward with administrative hearings.

The “voluntary resolution” settlement was reached in early April under the guidance of the Montana Human Rights Bureau, according to a record of the agreement. It states that technically no one was found at fault as a result of this settlement.

The $85,000 payment was quietly approved by the county commissioners in April and Carmalt was paid that same month.

Carmalt did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but she did provide a statement through her attorney. It said Carmalt first filed a gender-based grievance with the county’s Human Resource Office, but the county did not respond.

Flathead County Human Resource Officer Tammy Skramovsky declined to comment.

Carmalt then went to the state Human Rights Bureau, a division of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. According to the document, that office had a “favorable finding” and suggested an administrative hearing.

At that time, the county asked Carmalt to attend a mediation session. She knew at this point the county was willing to pay a “damage award,” according to Carmalt’s statement.

She ultimately accepted the settlement because she felt her position at the fairgrounds would be changed or eliminated, the statement noted.

That turned out to be the case, according to Campbell. He said the county will create a “redefined” position in replacing Carmalt. As a general statement, Campbell referred to the situation as a personnel change.

The settlement with Carmalt has two parts.

According to the conciliation agreement, $2,500 of the $85,000 is to settle a potential age discrimination claim, even though it is acknowledged that no such grievance has been made.

The settlement also includes a provision that Campbell and human resource staff will undergo two hours of training in discrimination laws “with an emphasis on gender discrimination.” Campbell said he is scheduled to complete that this month.

Carmalt’s employment with the fairgrounds officially ended on April 14. According to her statement, she will seek employment again, even within the county.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.