MiddletownJournal.com

HAMILTON — Butler County Emergency Management Director William Turner is offering to resign.

In a Monday, Dec. 22, letter to EMA board President Dennis Conrad, Turner asks the board and county commissioners for extended health insurance benefits and full reimbursement of his vacation and sick leave.

If the requests are granted, the resignation would be effective Feb. 28, according to the letter.

Turner said Monday night he would not give a reason for his offer until county leaders have responded. "I don't want to stir up any fights or say anything."

The EMA board did not ask Turner to resign, Conrad said. But he said they'll respect his decision and accept his health insurance and pay requests.

"I have no problem with it," Conrad said. "Bill has done a good job for the county as far as I've seen. I know there's been controversy, but he's brought an awful amount of money to Butler County."

Turner recently came under fire when the Butler County Chiefs of Police Association unanimously expressed a "lack of confidence in the leadership of (Turner)," citing a "litany of concerns" and "vacuum of leadership" at the EMA.

This spurred two county commissioners to request the EMA board replace Turner. It did not, and instead passed a unanimous measure in support of him and approved a pay raise for Turner in 2009.

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Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.