Party may have had a role in resignation

CELINA - A party involving alcohol reportedly held at a county building led to the termination of a county employee and may have played a part in the resignation of another.

County commissioner Greg Homan on Tuesday night revealed that county Emergency Medical Services coordinator Matt Nietfeld has "moved on from his position" while EMS education program director Heather Hinkle "has also been separated from service from the county."

According to county documents, commissioners Homan and Rick Muhlenkamp on June 9 passed a resolution ordering the immediate removal of Hinkle as EMS education program administrator/office manager. Commissioner Jerry Laffin was absent from the session.

The resolution states an investigation and predisciplinary conference determined Hinkle had committed a "Group III Offense," punishable by up to termination.

Documents state Hinkle had hosted a party in the county EMS/EMA building at 321 Riley St., Celina.

"You admitted to being in a county building with alcohol (vodka-soaked gummy bears) in violation of county policy prohibiting alcohol to be present or consumed on county property," the document states. "While you informed your supervisor of the event, you admitted that you did not tell him about the alcohol."

Hinkle reportedly "did not prohibit invitees from bringing alcohol and consuming it on the premises" and made notice of the party on her Facebook page.

"The nature of the party held on county property ... undermines the integrity of the county and placed the county at liability risk should an accident occur during the event or as people were leaving," the document states.

The sheriff's office on May 20 received a tip of a party planned for May 23 at the building, according to a sheriff's office incident report.

Deputies were assigned to conduct surveillance and found eight women, including Hinkle, at the building, the report states. Sheriff Jeff Grey reportedly told the women they were possibly trespassing.

Deputies reportedly found alcohol and a table setup of romance-related items. Hinkle was advised that "county commissioners are aware of what is going on already," the report states.

The attendees indicated "they never would have been there had they known this was not allowed," the report states. "They were all very cooperative throughout the entire thing."

No charges were listed in the report.

One June 2, Homan held a predisciplinary conference to allow Nietfeld to respond to allegations of disregarding employer's rules, dishonesty, neglect in performing assigned duties and neglect in the use of employer property or equipment.

Asked about the party, Nietfeld reportedly indicated that Hinkle had asked him about using the space.

"I was at the hospital with my dad. I trusted her," he said. "It's my office, I should have oversight and I failed in that part. I knew they were having some type of get together as I overheard some conversation from Heather and (another person)."

He also said Grey had indicated someone in the commissioners' office knew about the situation beforehand.

"I wish someone would have called me and the situation could have been averted in its entirety," Nietfeld said.

Homan then asked Nietfeld about outside groups using the building.

Nietfeld replied that Lisa Faust, a Rockford EMS member, had held training courses for pet medical care at the building.

"Mr. Nietfeld admitted that no revenue was received and he was not present during this event," a report signed by all three commissioners states. "There was no written lease agreement or written policy approved by the county commissioners regarding leasing of the facility. This left the county open to potential lawsuits."

The report states EMA records "were not secure when non-EMS events were held in the facility thus supporting carelessness in use of property."

Also, Mercer County Auditor Randy Grapner, in an email to administrative clerk Kim Everman, reportedly wrote that Nietfeld "needs to understand that there are several ways that he can purchase supplies for the office without using his personal credit card."

Nietfeld allegedly used his card to purchase a $679 computer "that should have been approved by the Data Processing Board."

Commissioners received Nietfeld's letter of resignation on June 17, according to county documents. He wrote of insurmountable hurdles arising over the course of his 19-month tenure, among them lack of guidance from commissioners.

Nietfeld also cited "a hostile work environment."

"With the most recent issue within the EMS office and the manner in which it was handled, along with the accumulation of grievances directed at me over the past year, I no longer have faith in the leadership of Mercer County nor in the office staff of the EMA/EMS office," he wrote.

Homan on April 21 had issued Nietfeld a written reprimand for four alleged violations. Nietfeld was accused of making a $6,000 purchase without a county resolution. Purchases in excess of $1,000 require a resolution.

Nietfeld also was accused of violations related to a proposed vehicle purchase from Select Motors. Nietfeld reportedly sought authorization to purchase a vehicle from Select Motors for $49,023. He was directed not to act until commissioners discussed the matter further.

"Mr. Nietfeld orally ... and in written communication ... led the board to believe that the cost of the vehicle had been reduced to $41,000," the report states. "Upon direct consultation with Select Motors ..., the board was informed that the cost remained at $49,023. The difference was being paid by Mr. Nietfeld."

Nietfeld did not respond to calls seeking comment.