GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  Jessica Miller, the finance director for the City of Georgetown, has been noticeably absent from two key meetings in the past week.

According to Mike Malone, the city’s labor attorney, Miller is currently on administrative leave with pay.

Her absence was first noticed Thursday evening when the city’s annual audit was presented to city council, a document which was prepared, in part, with input from Miller.

Then, on Monday, Miller was supposed to present a finance report to the Georgetown Winyah Auditorium Corp. but she was absent.

The Georgetown Times began inquiring about Miller’s absence Thursday evening.

Both Mayor Jack Scoville and City Administrator Chris Eldridge declined comment, referring questions to Malone.

On Monday, Malone said he could not say much about the situation because it’s a personnel matter.

However, another source close to the situation told the Times Miller has obtained the services of an attorney — Terry Ann Rickson of Charleston— who sent the city a request letter.

According to the source, the letter states Miller will resign if she is given a two-and-a-half year severance package plus insurance benefits. That would equal a cost of $207,000 for the city.

The Times sought comment from Rickson and Miller but received no response to the messages.

Miller, a 1999 graduate of Coastal Carolina University, has headed the city’s finance department since 2004.

She worked in the school district’s finance department on both a part-time and full-time basis for four years while she was earning her degree in finance.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com