City manager to decide soon on action against embattled finance director

PORT ANGELES — City Manager Kent Myers expects to make a decision next week regarding disciplinary action against the city’s finance director.

Myers was to meet with Finance Director Yvonne Ziomkowski on Tuesday to discuss potential action, but she waived her right to the meeting, he said.

He said he will make a decision sometime next week. A date has not been set for a decision.

Ziomkowski declined to comment Tuesday.

She has been on paid administrative leave since Jan. 3 while an investigation into alleged abuse of the city’s cash-out policy was conducted.

The State Patrol, which handled the investigation, is recommending that eight criminal charges be filed against her.

They are first-degree theft, misappropriation and falsification of accounts, misappropriation by a treasurer, falsely auditing and paying claims, falsely paying claims, wire fraud, exceeding purchase/spending authority per city code and exceeding cash-out limitations per city code.

Ziomkowski allegedly abused the policy by cashing out $29,673 of leave in excess of city policy since 2009 without seeking approval from Myers, her supervisor.

The Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is handling the case.

No charges have been filed.

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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.

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