Following an admission of forgery, a county department head was demoted late in 2017.

On Nov. 15, the county commissioners issued a notice of disciplinary action to then interim planning and building director Mark Sigler, including suspension and demotion after Sigler admitted to forging another employee’s signature.

Sigler forged the signature on a certificate of occupancy to meet a deadline for a loan on his personal construction project. The signature on the certificate is dated Oct. 31.

In notes from a Nov. 6 meeting with county staff and a union representative obtained through a public records request, Sigler is asked who signed the document. He admits to have signed the document, but he said he didn’t think there was a problem with it. According to the notes, Sigler “looked shocked” when he was told signing the document with someone else’s name was forgery. At that time, Sigler was put on administrative leave with pay.

On Nov. 7, according to notes from a meeting with county staff, Sigler apologized and said he didn’t realize it was illegal. He said it was a lapse in judgment. Sigler then was given a two-week suspension without pay.

In a letter to Sigler from commission Chairman Randy Ross dated Nov. 15, Ross wrote,”…we have seriously considered your termination.

“Unfortunately, discovering this conduct has been unexpected and disappointing on the highest levels and we have made the decision to remove you from the interim planning and building director position.” Sigler has returned to his previous position as a building inspector, deputy building official and deputy fire marshal.

“In deciding not to terminate you, we are considering an otherwise excellent employment record, your acknowledgement of the nature of your conduct and what we believe is your earnest desire that something like this never happen again,” Ross wrote.

In addition to the demotion and suspension, Sigler was to attend ethics training. The notice of disciplinary action will be kept in his personnel file for 1 year.

County facilities director Mark Cox later was appointed to oversee planning and building. Cox declined to comment on the personnel matter.

Sigler declined to comment.