The county manager for Union County has left the job, doing so just months before she was set to retire.
Cindy Coto announced plans in June to retire at the end of the year, according to a report by Union County Weekly. The newspaper said when she announced her intentions to the Union County Board of County Commissioners, she didn’t elaborate on her decision, merely setting the date for Dec. 31 to retire.
But according to county officials, Coto has taken “extended leave” due to “personal circumstances.” That leave began Thursday, and officials clarified that she will “not be back.” No further information as to why she left early was given.
Coto has served as county manager since 2010. Prior to her work in Union County, she held the same position in two Florida counties — Seminole and Volusia — for a combined 11 years.
In Coto’s place, Michelle Lancaster will serve as interim county manager. Lancaster was named assistant county manager in 2015, having previously worked for Mecklenburg County.
