Johnson County communications center chief resigns after OWI charge

The executive director of the Johnson County Communications Center resigned from his position three days after he was arrested on a drunk driving charge.

The Joint Emergency Communications Services Association Policy Board, meeting Sunday night, accepted Mike Sullivan's resignation with a 7-0 vote during open session, said Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek, the board's board vice-chairman. The meeting lasted over two hours and most of the discussion was done in closed session, per Sullivan's request in the meeting notice sent on Saturday from board chairman Mike Wright.

Sullivan, 52, was arrested Thursday night after being reported to police for driving in an erratic manner and hitting a mailbox in the 300 block of Holiday Road in  Coralville, according to police complaints.

When officers made contact with Sullivan at his home, at 160 E. Dovetail Dr., at 7:42 p.m. Thursday, police said Sullivan said he had been drinking too much and had just arrived home. Police said Sullivan told them he had nothing to drink since he got home and that he did not realize he had hit a mailbox. Police said Sullivan failed field sobriety tests and initially blew a .256 on the scene during a preliminary breath test. Subsequent tests showed he had a blood alcohol content of .234.

He did not return a phone message Friday and was not immediately available Monday morning for comment.

Wright said Sullivan and his attorney, Tom Maxwell, met privately with the board. Maxwell and the board's lawyer, Jeff Stone, also met with board members and Sullivan in closed session.

Wright said Sullivan's resignation was voluntary and said he couldn't provide additional comment on the meeting. He said the board plans to meet soon to determine how to fill Sullivan's position.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• April 23:

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• April 23: Johnson County Communications Center chief faces drunk driving charge