Boone County Water District suspends general manager without pay

WALTON, Ky. - Phil Trzop is still the mayor of the city of Walton, but was suspended without pay from his role as general manager from the Boone County Water District during an emergency meeting on Saturday.

The board also appointed Richard Knock to oversee the water district's daily operations. The decision was made until the board decides on who the interim general manager will be.

Employees said they are not worried about the day to day operations.

"We're just down one man right now," water department inspector Matt Stogsdill said. "If we need to pick up the slack, we will pick up the slack."

Trzop is out of jail following his arrest for allegedly stealing from taxpayers in his role as manger of the Boone County Water District. He is facing felony charges for allegedly selling scrap metal acquired during water line repairs and keeping some of the profits.

The water district sold more than $30,000 in scrap metal over the past three years, money that should have been put in Boone County's general fund. Deputies said Trzop used much of the money to pay his employees Christmas bonuses, however, $10,000 was unaccounted for until Trzop confessed to have some of it at his home.

As for his role of mayor, Walton city council said they will eventually hold a meeting to discuss the issue, however, they must run legalities through the city attorney first.

City Attorney Tim Noyes said Trzop will lose his role as mayor if he is convicted of his charges, resigns as mayor or if city council unanimously votes to remove him from office.

City council member Mike Wood said Trzop is a good man and cares about his people.

If convicted, Trzop faces five to 10 years in prison.