Hernando County public works director Charles Mixson was suspended for two weeks without pay on Friday for a litany of projects he has failed to oversee properly.

His most recent misstep has been in failing to realize that his pavement management coordinator, Bill Busch, was working for the county and for a firm doing business with the county at the same time.

The Hernando Times has detailed the controversy in a series of stories. In his discipline memo to Mixson, County Administrator David Hamilton states: "Your failure to detect this conflict of interest has subjected the county to a criminal investigation and very negative media attention.''

Mixson will also be on probation when he returns and faces a series of tasks that Hamilton will monitor.

"Please be advised that any further infractions or any failure to comply with the terms of your discipline will result in your immediate termination,'' Hamilton wrote. "This is your last chance to keep your job.''

-- Barbara Behrendt, Times staff writer