The Fayette County commissioners have terminated the employment of Amy Liston, who had served as the county’s chief clerk for over 13 years. This decision was unveiled during a public comment session at the commissioners’ voting meeting on November 14, 2023, where Liston openly criticized the move, suggesting it was driven by personal politics rather than performance.
According to Liston, on October 28, 2023, two human resources employees and a sheriff’s deputy approached her at her office, presented her with a termination letter signed by all three commissioners, and escorted her from the premises. “I would say it wasn’t my job performance,” Liston stated during the meeting. “It was politics and personality.” She emphasized her commitment to her role, noting that she continued to work in the courthouse throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, even participating in Zoom meetings while recovering from the virus.
In her public remarks, Liston mentioned that while her termination letter referenced her job performance, it failed to provide specific examples of any misconduct or poor evaluations. “I was told once I was too frank,” she added. “So apparently frankness, or honesty, is not valued by these commissioners.”
Following Liston’s comments, commissioners Scott Dunn, Harry Dutch Kaufman, and Vince Vicites unanimously approved her separation from the position. Dunn, speaking after the vote, declined to provide further details, citing the confidential nature of personnel decisions. He did acknowledge that Liston’s responsibilities have been temporarily distributed among other employees and that no replacement has yet been hired.
The chief clerk plays a vital role in county operations, assisting the commissioners, developing the budget, preparing meeting agendas, and managing public records requests. To fill the vacancy, a job posting for the chief clerk position was made available on the county’s website on November 14, 2023, shortly before it expired.
Liston’s career prior to her role as chief clerk included positions as a reporter for the Observer-Reporter and the Herald-Standard, where she gained experience in public communication and local governance. With her dismissal, the Fayette County commissioners face the task of not only filling her position but also addressing any potential concerns regarding workplace culture and transparency within the county administration.
