County Parks and Recreation Director tied to $800k playground ousted from job
Embattled Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper is no longer employed by the county, according to spokesperson Hannah Nichols, confirming the rumors of Loper’s recent departure.
The decision to fire Loper was made by Interim Administrator John Robinson on Monday, Loper told the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. The grounds for her termination were cited as “violated the Beaufort County policy manual.”
Her termination comes on the heels of another in a series of embarrassing procurement woes that have dogged county leadership and administration for the better part of this year. The ongoing procurement problems are also part of the investigation currently underway by the Joint Task Force comprised of investigators from the 1st and 14th Solicitor’s offices.
According to county council, Loper approved the $799,052 playground in Port Royal without going through the county’s procurement process. An invoice submitted to the county for the playground equipment is dated May 25, 2023 meaning the purchase was approved by Loper at least four months before the purchase was presented to council.
The expense associated with the playground equipment exceeded the $200,000 threshold needed for county council approval by nearly four fold. When the council did review the playground on September 25, months after the equipment was installed, the purchase was approved in an 8 to 2 vote. Two weeks later, Loper was terminated.
