Apr. 16, 2022 1:45p; Updated 4-18
(WGTD)---There's been official reaction to reports that Pleasant Prairie Administrator Nathan Thiel appears to be on his way out.
A spokesman for the village will only say that Thiel is currently on "paid time off," and that the Village Board has not "yet" taken action on his contract, which expires at the end of the month.
The email confirms an earlier report that Thiel's status has nothing to do with the recent suspension of village Public Works Director John Steinbrink, Jr. who's the subject of an undisclosed complaint. That matter apparently remains under investigation. Without naming Steinbrink, the village said last week that the Racine County Sheriff's Dept. has been called in to investigate a matter involving a public works employee.
Several sources told WGTD News that the Village Board will allow Thiel's contract to expire without a renewal. The March 28th agenda of the Village Board meeting included a reference to a closed session to discuss "employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data" of an employee "and specifically as it relates to the position of Village Administrator."
There's speculation that the non-renewal is the result of differences over governance issues.
Attempts to reach Thiel and Village President John Steinbrink, Sr. have been unsuccessful.
Thiel assumed the role of village administrator in 2018 and after a national search that took nearly a year, according to an old web posting by the village. Thiel came to Pleasant Prairie from Mauston, Wisconsin, where he served as city administrator for seven years.
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