Webster County Health Department Director Kari Prescott has been terminated from the department, effective immediately.

The termination comes nearly a week after Prescott was placed on paid administrative leave by the Webster County Board of Health for an investigation into allegations of a hostile work environment, financial irregularities and irregularities in documentation. The board placed her on administrative leave on May 19.

On Wednesday, the board held a meeting, during which it gave Webster County Director of Human Resources Ted Vaughn the authority to take employment action on behalf of the board and terminate Prescott’s employment.

“The subsequent investigation led to the determination that her employment should be terminated effective immediately,” Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll told The Messenger.

Prescott had been with the Health Department since 1997, serving as the director since 2008.

The Board of Health also voted to contact the office of Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand to conduct an audit of the WCHD that will begin immediately.

WCHD Medical Director Dr. Vinil Bhuma is currently overseeing the department, Driscoll said.