Polk County is currently seeking a new emergency medical services (EMS) director after terminating Sandra Halford effective Tuesday, June 4. The county’s reasons for terminating Halford include sexual harassment, lying to public officials and creating or causing a hostile or abusive work environment through means of verbal abuse, intimidation and retaliation, according to a letter sent to Halford via certified mail on June 5 signed by interim county manager Marche Pittman and county board of commissioner chairman Michael Gage.

Halford had been on paid administrative leave since May 8.

Halford was sent an initial certified letter on June 4 by Polk County saying her employment with the county was terminated. She was sent another letter on Wednesday, June 5 stating that it had come to the county’s attention that recent changes to personnel records law require the county provide Halford with specific reasons for the finding of just cause for her termination.

“You are hereby advised that the specific reasons for finding detrimental and unacceptable personal conduct are as follows,” states the county’s letter dated June 5. “1. Sexual harassment in violation of Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (both quid pro quo and sexual favoritism), 2. Impeding the course of an official investigation by lying to public officials, and 3. Creating or causing a hostile or abusive work environment through means of verbal abuse, intimidation and retaliation.”