By Megan Alley
Sun Reporter
Clermont County’s longtime Building Department Director, Carl Lamping, who was put on administrative leave this summer, is now out of a job, this after the county “abolished” his position in a recent department merger.
During their meeting on Nov. 6, the Clermont County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution that would consolidate the operations of the Building Inspection Department and the Department of Community and Economic Development.
The reason for merger, as explained by County Administrator Thomas J. Eigel was to “increase efficiency.”
Two positions were cut during the consultation – Lamping’s director position, and the Assistant Building Inspection Department Director position, which Eigel said was not staffed at the time of the cuts.
The cuts were effective upon approval.
Approval of the resolution also established the unclassified position of County Building Inspector.
Lamping was put on paid administrative leave on Aug. 16 and did not return to work before his position was cut.
His paid leave ended on Nov. 6, Eigel said.
Notably, the county referred Lamping to the Ohio Ethics Commission, according to an Aug. 23 email from Clermont County Public Information Officer Mike Boehmer.
When asked by The Sun if the reason for Lamping’s being placed on administrative leave — as well as Lamping being referred to the Ohio Ethics Commission — played into his position being abolished, Eigel did not provide a response.
Lamping had served as the building department director since Sept. 1, 2011, according to Eigel, and he did not receive severance pay when his position was eliminated.