For the second time in less than a month, a Pickerington city administrator has been fired.

Paul Lane, the city's building inspector administrator and head of Pickerington's Building Department, was terminated on Monday, Nov. 2.

According to Pickerington police chief and interim city manager Mike Taylor, Lane was fired for having "inappropriate material on his (city) computer."

"Just in reviewing his computer, it was found," Taylor said, who was appointed interim city manager by Pickerington City Council on Oct. 28 after former city manager Tim Hansley was fired a week earlier. "It was rumored that numerous people were deleting files off computers.

"I checked several, and although nothing was found deleted (from Lane's computer), there was inappropriate material."

Taylor declined to further identify the nature of the material which led to the firing, and wouldn't say if Lane accessed restricted Web sites or used his computer to send or receive personal e-mails.

"That's the way I want to leave it, as inappropriate," Taylor said.

Lane declined to discuss his firing.

"For right now, I really don't have any comment," he said. "We'll see how some other shoes fall in the future."

Lane's employee personnel file wasn't immediately available. City municipal clerk Lynda Yartin said the personnel file would be made available after review by the city's law director, per city policy.

According to Yartin, Lane was hired by the city on Aug. 30, 1999. His salary was $63,068 at the time of his termination.

Lane was fired following a disciplinary hearing with Taylor on Oct. 30.

Taylor said the city won't extend severance pay to Lane. He also said no criminal investigation or charges would result from Lane's alleged computer use.

Taylor also said it's "undetermined" if Lane will be replaced.

According to the city's Web site, the department Lane oversaw is responsible for building and construction plan inspection. Department employees also answer questions, meet with property owners to help them understand the requirements of the building code, review plans, issue permits and inspect structures to ensure they are safe for human occupancy.

Currently, the city is seeking a replacement for Hansley, who maintained he was fired in part because his detractors wanted "somebody they can dictate the day-to-day actions to, especially the hiring and firing of staff." He served his last day with the city on Oct. 21. As part of his termination, Pickerington is required to pay him approximately $58,000, or a lump sum equal to three months' worth of compensation, including his base salary and retirement contributions. He also is entitled to all earned sick leave, vacation and other benefits.