Grand Traverse County Administrator Vicki Uppal abruptly resigned her position effective immediately Wednesday – a departure that could have a ripple effect on Traverse City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

Uppal notified county commissioners Wednesday afternoon she was resigning due to “personal family circumstances” that required her “full attention and presence at this time.” Uppal, who started in her position September 5, did not respond to a phone request for comment but provided an emailed statement to The Ticker regarding her resignation.

“It has been an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to work with the outstanding employees, department heads and elected officials of this wonderful community, and I am proud of the accomplishments we have been able to achieve over the past five months,” Uppal wrote. “I am grateful to have been a part of the Grand Traverse County team, and I am confident that the management and support staff within the county are well-equipped to move forward with the plans and initiatives that have been started. Many thanks for your thoughtful understanding that family obligations must take priority over career.”

News of Uppal’s resignation came shortly before commissioners met for their regular Wednesday night meeting, with the board amending their agenda to discuss Uppal’s departure. Uppal did not attend the meeting. Commissioners unanimously voted to accept Uppal’s resignation and waived a 45-day notification requirement included in her employment contract. Uppal will not receive a financial payout or severance package for her resignation. Commissioners also voted to promote County Interim Deputy Administrator Jean Derenzy to Interim Administrator.

Commissioner Bob Johnson, referencing a string of recent high-profile county leadership departures that has included Uppal, Planning Director John Sych, Facilities Director Marty Dunham, HR Director Bill Hendry, Deputy Administrator Jennifer DeHaan, and Finance Director Jody Lundquist, told Derenzy the county was “in the lurch” because of all the vacancies.

“We’re kind of hosed big time with all these people who have left and been pushed out and everything else,” Johnson said.

Johnson and other commissioners questioned Derenzy about her impending departure to Traverse City’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Derenzy has been offered the position of CEO at the DDA and is in contract negotiations to leave her county position and take the new role. “I know you were close to going to the DDA, so what does that all mean right now?” asked Johnson. “How long are you going to commit (to the county)? Not that we have much choice right now.” Commissioner Dan Lathrop, also addressing Derenzy, added: “I really hope you help us out. You have tremendous skills, and we really need you now.”

Derenzy noted her promotion to administrator was only an “interim” appointment. “At this point, I think we just need to talk about it as a board and see how I’m going to be moving forward,” she said. Commissioners agreed to host a study session next Wednesday covering topics including county goals and priorities for 2018 and a search process for the next county administrator. The meeting will replace a strategic planning session originally scheduled for this Saturday that commissioners agreed to cancel.

Commissioner Cheryl Gore Follette pointed out the county had an agreement with executive search firm GovHR USA stipulating that if Uppal left the county within two years for any reason, the firm would conduct another administrator search “at no cost, other than travel and expenses for the county,” according to GovHR USA Vice President Jaymes Vettraino. Commissioners will discuss next week whether they want to use the firm again for another administrator search.

The timing of Uppal’s – and subsequently Derenzy’s – departure could prove awkward for DDA board members, who are set to vote Friday on Derenzy’s contract terms. A draft agreement included in the board’s meeting packet outlines a proposed $85,000 salary and benefit package – including four weeks of annual vacation – with a proposed start date of February 19. The DDA has been without a leader since December 15, the last day of former Executive Director Rob Bacigalupi. Marketing and Deputy Director Colleen Paveglio has served as acting director of the DDA in Bacigalupi’s absence.

Prior to the announcement of Uppal’s resignation Wednesday, Derenzy told The Ticker she approved of her proposed contract terms with the DDA. However, she declined to comment on whether February 19 was a realistic start date or what her transitional plan might be from the county to the DDA. Derenzy could not be reached for further comment following the announcement of Uppal’s resignation.

DDA Board Member Scott Hardy tells The Ticker he’s hopeful Derenzy will still be the DDA’s next leader. However, he says the board may have to consider other assistance in the meantime.

“I would suggest it depends on how much longer she needs to stay on at the county…obviously we don’t want to throw the county into massive disarray,” Hardy says. “But we may need to consider someone on an interim basis to help steer the ship while we’re waiting for Jean to come on board. Colleen has done a great job of holding things together, but we’ve got a number of projects we need to respond to, including a strategic plan to finalize. We can’t go on forever without some kind of leadership down there.”