Clackamas County Administrator Steve Wheeler announced on Monday that he has agreed to part ways with the Board of Commissioners after his replacement is chosen.
The mutual decision comes on the heels of last month's installation of three newly elected board members.
Wheeler and County Chairman John Ludlow's Feb. 25 announcement noted that Wheelers job status will be changed to acting county administrator effective immediately.
Wheeler was appointed in December 2009 after serving as interim county administrator following the resignation of Jon Mantay in March 2009. Prior to that, Wheeler had served as deputy county administrator since 2006. He also served in senior leadership positions at other local governments.
"This is an amicable arrangement that enables the county to move forward with our important business," said Wheeler. "We have a truly outstanding group of employees serving our community and I am confident that the successes we have achieved over these past years will continue into the future."
Clackamas County will launch a nationwide search for a county administrator. Details of that recruitment will be unveiled in coming days, a press release said.
"The Board of County Commissioners is grateful for the leadership Steve has provided over the years," Ludlow said. "We appreciate that Steve is staying on during the search for a replacement. Under Mr. Wheelers leadership Clackamas County adopted its 2010 Strategic Plan; greatly improved the quality and level of services provided to vulnerable populations; and participated in the passing of a renewed law enforcement levy. I also want to acknowledge the excellence of our county employees and assure our residents that we will work diligently and expeditiously to choose a replacement to lead our county forward."