Dana Babcock, director of administration for Platte County, has fired Terry Piper, a facilities maintenance worker for the county.

The personnel action occurred at 2 p.m. at the county human resources office last Wednesday with human resources coordinator LeAnna Fannon present.

Because of personnel policy and employee confidentiality, Babcock and Fannon were unable to disclose the reason or reasons for Piper’s termination.

Piper began employment with Platte County on Oct. 18, 2004. He was hired by former director of administration Jane Henry as the overall manager of the county facilities department.

The facilities manager has supervision over nine employees, which includes four maintenance workers and five housekeepers, Babcock said.

On May 16 of this year, Babcock demoted Piper for confidential reasons, and promoted a subordinate, John Kempt, to facilities coordinator.

Piper received about a 29 percent pay reduction as a result of the demotion while Kemp received a corresponding pay increase.

Prior to his employment with Platte County, Piper was a self-employed hot dog vendor in downtown Kansas City.

The county is advertising for a new facilities maintenance worker to replace Piper, Fannon said.