PORT ANGELES — Yvonne Ziomkowski, the city’s finance director since 1999, was fired this morning, a month after a State Patrol investigation concluded that she approved vacation cash-outs for herself that exceeded city policy by $29,673.
City Manager Kent Myers said he has notified Ziomkowski, the Finance Department staff, and the City Council.
“It’s a tough day. It’s a tough day at City Hall,” Myers said.
Ziomkowski had been on paid administrative leave since Jan. 3 pending the completion of a State Patrol investigation.
The State Patrol’s report, completed Feb. 14 and issued to the city Feb. 21, recommends eight criminal charges, including first-degree theft, falsely auditing and paying claims, and wire fraud, be brought against her.
As of this morning, the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which is handling the case, had not filed charges.
City Attorney Bill Bloor said Ziomkowski was fired because of violations of city policy, not because of pending criminal charges.
The violations include neglect of duty and dishonesty.
Ziomkowski, the State Patrol concluded, abused the city’s policy for reimbursement of unused leave by cashing out $29,673 of vacation and sick time in excess of city policy from 2009 through 2011 without seeking approval from Myers, her supervisor.
Ziomkowski, 58, had been employed by the city since 1988.
Myers and Ziomkowski had scheduled an administrative hearing on March 6 to discuss the allegations, but Ziomkowski had cancelled the meeting.
“As you know, I have always disagreed with the allegations brought against me,” she wrote to Myers in an email, notifying she was waiving her right to the administrative hearing.
“I have a great love for the city of Port Angeles.
“I would never knowingly do anything that was not in the best interest of the city.”
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
