Sogndal municipality has approved a 4.5 million kroner severance package for its departing director. The decision came after a two-year conflict that divided local government.
The municipal council voted 23-8 in favor of the agreement with director Tor-Einar Skinlo. The settlement ends his troubled tenure that began in 2021.
What sparked this expensive separation? The conflict started after the 2023 local elections when Stig Ove Ølmheim became mayor. Within months, tensions emerged between him and the director.
Skinlo received warnings about the mayor's alleged substance abuse. He confronted Ølmheim about these claims in a December 2023 meeting. The mayor publicly denied the allegations and accused Skinlo of spreading rumors.
The situation escalated when the mayor began secretly recording conversations at the municipal building. He claimed he needed documentation for protection.
Deputy mayor Gunnhild Bøyum responded by refusing to meet the mayor alone. Mediation attempts failed, with consultants concluding the working relationship was beyond repair.
In 2024, the mayor's lawyer threatened legal action against the municipality. He claimed the mayor faced obstruction from administrative leadership.
The conflict deepened when the municipality lost a labor court case involving a former employee accused of corruption. The court criticized Skinlo for sharing sensitive personnel information internally and with media.
This position has traditionally been called a 'Urias post' in Norwegian administration - referencing a biblical figure sent to die in battle. The term describes notoriously difficult municipal director roles.
Sogndal holds an unofficial record with six directors since 2019. Nationwide, between 15-30 municipal directors leave their positions due to conflicts each year.
Local politicians expressed mixed emotions after the vote. Some described relief while others voiced concern about the cost.
Former mayor Arnstein Menes stated in February that the situation made the municipality look foolish. The case received extensive coverage in national media.
When all conflict resolution methods failed, even the local priest offered counseling services.
Council members acknowledged the seriousness of the decision. One noted this was the right choice among limited options. Another emphasized that the settlement alone won't restore peace.
The Frp party representative Rita Navarsete opposed the agreement. She considered the package too generous and preferred three months' severance pay instead.
The settlement also dismisses all whistleblower cases against Skinlo. Local politicians now hope to turn the page and focus on regular municipal work.
This case highlights the challenges small Norwegian municipalities face in managing top-level conflicts. The combination of personal allegations and recording incidents created a perfect storm that proved costly for taxpayers.