The Times has learned that Wayne County Administrator Rick House has submitted his letter of resignation.

The letter was forwarded to all the County Supervisors on Thursday evening. His resignation takes effect as of March 31st.

Dear Board members, I am writing to formally announce mv retirement from the County of Wayne effective March 31. 2025. My last day in the office will be March 28, 2025. I initially planned to retire at the end of my term, December 31, 2025; however, due to certain circumstances, I feel that it is best for me to retire at the end of March.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents of Wayne County for the last 44 years and appreciate the support that I have received through - out my tenure with the County. I will cherish the memories and experiences that I have gained.

Please let me know how I can assist during the transition period to a new Administrator.

Richard R. House County Administrator

House indicated that the resignation was not due to anything bad,, or facetious, but he felt it was times to devote more time to his family. He said he plans on travelling with his wife, especially to see grandchildren.

House issued this statement on Friday (1/17) morning: “I look forward to this next chapter in life, spending more time with my with my wife traveling, visiting the kids and my grandson and playing a lot more golf, while we still have our health. My personal life has always taken a backseat to my professional life and in all fairness to my wife, that needs to change. No immediate plans other than to do some travelling and start on my long “honey do list.”

Here is some background:

• 45 years of public service – 1 year w/ Clyde PD (1980-1981); Sheriff’s Office (1981-2015, retiring as the Undersheriff), County Administrator 2015-present.

• Leaving the County in good fiscal shape with a healthy a fund balance, County-wide Ambulance up and running, Management team built and successes garnered through COVID.

• Over the next 2 ½ months I want to work with the Board on securing my successor and assist in the transition

of my new Management Assistant from the Audit Office.

'The next two months of my life will be busy transitioning people,' he quipped.

He also said that he is leaving the County in a healthy position as far as fund balance. This included the success at launching the count-wide ambulance service. 'I have achieved everything I set out to do,' said House.

House was formerly the Undersheriff under then Sheriff Barry Virts when County Administrator James Marquette resigned leaving the County in a precarious position. Rick, with his decades of experience in the County was tapped to take the lead position.

The County is going through a recent change in department heads with Human Resources Director Chris Kalinski recently retiring, with Brian Sams, currently the County Financial Administrator, taking over in Human Resources. Wayne County Veterans Services Director David Phillips is also retiring.

House credited former Sheriff Virts with instilling in him: 'Always do your best to follow the process...follow the pathway to success.'

Initially, House had indicated that he would stay in the position until the end of his term on December 31, 2025.

The Times has learned from several sources that there is some 'discord' within the Wayne County Board of Supervisors, but no one would go on record as to what the ‘discord’ entailed.

In a telephone interview Rick said he was disappointed in the fact that someone had leaked his announcement before he met with the department heads on Friday morning.