Jim Atkinson received a startling piece of news on Feb. 23.
After 19 years serving as the county’s director of the Agency on Aging, he was out of a job. The three Flathead County commissioners voted unanimously to cut ties with Atkinson and not renew his contract without any public explanation.
Commissioner Pam Holmquist introduced the motion in a meeting that was closed to the public because the decision was related to a personnel matter. Commissioners Jim Dupont and Dale Lauman voted in support of her motion.
All three commissioners offered a few words of praise for Atkinson, according to the meeting’s minutes.
“You are a great member of the community,” Dupont said.
Lauman wished Atkinson the best of luck in whatever he chose to do next, and stated, “you are a great person and asset to the community.”
Afterward, Dupont declined to comment on the reasoning behind the decision, citing legal reasons.
“I really can’t. We just decided not to renew the contract,” Dupont said. “I appreciate Jim’s service and everything he’s done for Flathead County. That’s about all I can say.”
Atkinson, who is currently the longest-serving city councilor in Kalispell dating back to 1988, said he wasn’t aware of any incidents or complaints that led to the commissioners’ decision. Still, he said he was not completely surprised.
“I’d say we had differences in management styles,” Atkinson said. “I had my style and they had theirs. But I am sorry it came to this.”
The exact reasoning behind his sudden removal is likely to remain unclear in the public forum. Dupont said the process for renewing contracts does not involve “cause.”
“You don’t get into cause,” Dupont said. “You get a three-year contract or you don’t. That’s the end of it.”
Holmquist declined comment on why she introduced the motion to cut ties with Atkinson. Regardless, the vote was unanimous, she said.
“We all voted the same,” she said. “It wasn’t like it was controversial in any way at all, I don’t think.”
Dupont said Atkinson’s replacement will be decided soon, but nothing had been scheduled as of March 2.
The Agency on Aging provides and coordinates direct services, such as transportation, housekeeping and personal care needs, for senior citizens. As director, Atkinson was in charge of roughly 30 employees. His salary was $51,930.
In an interview with the Beacon, Atkinson described his tenure at the agency as a “true joy.” He said working at the agency was a perfect job for him: It combined his passion for providing aid with his love of hearing people’s stories.
Since last week, Atkinson said he had received phone calls, emails and letters from residents supporting him and thanking him for his work.
“It’s just been so complimentary that it’s embarrassing,” he said.
When asked if he believed he did a good job as the agency’s director, Atkinson replied “certainly.”
“It’s pretty hard to do a rotten job at something you love,” he said.