SUNBURY -- Northumberland County commissioners told human resources director Joe Picarelli last week to draft a letter terminating chief assessor Mike Diehl's employment.

Picarelli said Thursday he sent the letter to Diehl July 11, acting off a "directive from the commissioners."

The letter informed Diehl "You are being relieved of your duties," Picarelli said, reading from the letter.

Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Kurt Masser have declined to comment on the matter. Commissioner Frank Sawicki said Wednesday he didn't know whether Diehl resigned or had been fired because Sawicki hadn't received the proper paperwork.

On Thursday, Sawicki said: "I have a stack of sheets in my inbox as of today and I have not gone through it yet. (The paperwork) could be in there."

According to Picarelli, any time a personnel change occurs in the county, his office sends out a "hire sheet" to be signed by the commissioners.

"It really should be called an employment status sheet," he said, because it covers everything ranging from hirings and firings to leaves of absence.

Picarelli said his office sent out a hire sheet regarding Diehl's departure to commissioners, but wasn't sure whether it had been returned yet.

Diehl's annual salary was $32,496 when his employment was terminated. He was hired as chief assessor in January 2004. He had previously worked for Northumberland County as a deputy coroner from May 1990 to March 2000.

Diehl did not return phone calls seeking comment.

The assessment office had come under fire recently after it was discovered more than 300 farmstead applications for tax relief relating to state gambling revenue were never processed. Assessment staff worked overtime to process the applications before the June 30 deadline.

On Wednesday, Chief Clerk Rose Marquardt said the commissioners wanted to take the assessment office "in a different direction."

The county has begun advertising for a new chief assessor, which Sawicki described as "one of the most important offices in the county."

Picarelli said the starting salary for the new chief assessor will be negotiable based on experience. The county is accepting applications until Aug. 1.

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