"She was not asked to leave," said County Administrator Jim Shuler, calling her departure "mutually agreed upon."

Mockus was given a six-month severance package. Shuler did not elaborate on the reason for the severance pay.

Shuler, reached at home, did not know Mockus’ exact salary, but said it was "around $90,000."

Mockus, who has had an extensive career in recreation management, came to Hall County in December 2002 from Athens-Clarke County, where she had been since 1996.

Prior to that time, she was recreation director for East Hartford, Conn.

While in Hall County, she served in 2004-05 as president of the Georgia Recreation & Parks Association. In 2007, the association named Hall County as Agency of the Year.

Bob Gentile, assistant director of Hall County Parks and Leisure Services, is administering the department. However, Gentile, who is scheduled to retire in June, is not a candidate for the full-time position. Shuler said a search is under way to fill the position.