By Kathryn Reed

Jim Nichols is no longer at the helm of Douglas County.

He has been out on paid leave since Jan. 12 and it goes through Jan. 29. After that time he will no longer be affiliated with the county.

Jim Nichols has left Douglas County after 16 months as the manager. Photo/Provided

“It was a mutual agreement,” Commissioner Nancy McDermid told Lake Tahoe News. “We are in good shape. This is in the best interest of everybody.”

What led to the agreed upon separation is not being disclosed by county officials, and with Nichols gone he can’t speak for himself.

Nichols had been the county manager since September 2014. He was one of 72 applicants for the job that was vacated by Steve Mokrohisky. Prior to the Douglas job Nichols was assistant city manager for Midland, Texas.

Melissa Blosser, spokeswoman for the county, told Lake Tahoe News she did not believe Nichols had another job lined up.

When he started he was making $172,000 a year. The separation agreement has not been released.

The commissioners at the Jan. 21 meeting at Stateline are expected to finalize the agreement. At that meeting the board will also discuss an interim replacement. For now Christine Vuletich, assistant county manager, is in charge.