Paula Phillips has resigned as the Douglas County Emergency Management director.

County Administrator Craig Weinaug confirmed the resignation Tuesday afternoon when asked by the Journal-World. He declined to discuss the circumstances of the resignation.

But County Commissioner Jere McElhaney said it was his understanding that Phillips was asked to resign by Weinaug and Assistant County Administrator Pam Madl. He said he and fellow Commissioners Bob Johnson and Charles Jones had been informed of that decision Monday during an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

“From my understanding, this was a decision made by administrative personnel, and administrative personnel had gone through a very thorough process and had come to the commission and told the commission of the decision,” McElhaney said. “All three commissioners supported the staff, supported the process and supported the decision that was made.”

Phillips, like all county employees, undergoes an annual evaluation and review process, McElhaney said.

Phillips couldn’t be reached for comment. She was not at her home Wednesday afternoon. Jones said he was aware of Phillips’ resignation but declined to comment further. Johnson did not return a phone message.

Weinaug said he asked Teri Smith to be the acting director of the department. Smith had been assistant director. Weinaug also said he asked Jim Denney, director of the Emergency Communications Department, to work with Emergency Management in a supervisory role and to start the process of “figuring out what needs to be done next.”

Phillips became emergency management’s assistant coordinator on Sept. 27, 1989. She was promoted to director on Nov. 30, 1991.