Samson Yao, Nye County public works director, was terminated with cause, County Manager Ron Williams confirmed Thursday.

Yao, who was formerly manager of engineering for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, took over as public works director from Bob Wickendon in January 2003.

Yao was involved in numerous projects including the permitting for a new landfill, a capital improvement plan, studies on the Homestead Road traffic light, a flood control plan, and he recently outlined plans to widen three major thoroughfares in Pahrump.

The public works director and planning department have come under fire recently for restrictions on development. The impact fee regulations imposed in 2005 have been unpopular with many construction companies. That was followed by passage of a comprehensive zoning map in 2007.

A committee of real estate people has been established in an attempt to streamline the county permitting process.

Nye County Commission Chairman Joni Eastley said she was informed of Yao's termination by County Manager Ron Williams Wednesday.

Eastley said Yao requested to go to arbitration. He's a member of the Nye County Management Employees Association. She said personnel issues are confidential and didn't explain the reasons for his termination.

Eastley said she received a lot of complaints about Yao. But she said the department managers don't work directly under the county commission, only the county manager.

Williams said incoming County Manager Rick Osborne signed the termination letter, which was effective Thursday. Williams said he will begin advertising for a new public works director.

The county is contacting the State Board of Professional Engineers and Surveyors over a requirement to have an engineer's stamp on official documents.

Yao was unavailable for comment by presstime Thursday.