The Shire of Laverton has terminated its suspended chief executive Phil Marshall’s employment while his alleged misconduct continues to be investigated.

Councillors voted unanimously to terminate his contract in a special meeting behind closed doors last month, less than five months after they suspended Mr Marshall with pay.

Shire president Patrick Hill told the Kalgoorlie Miner this week he could not say much about Mr Marshall’s alleged misconduct while the investigation was under way, but the public would “probably” become aware of details down the track.

“Local government investigators are involved . . . we’re still awaiting the outcome at the moment,” he said.

“Council is co-operating with the investigation.”

Mr Hill said he did not know when the investigation would wrap up but hoped it would be in the next few weeks.

“I would try to get it done as quickly as possible, but there is a process to go through and we’re at the at the mercy of the investigators.”

He said the council had begun hunting for a new chief executive, assisted by current acting chief executive Jackie Hawkins.

“We’re going through the proper procedure that’s been set out by the Department of Local Government,” he said.

In the meantime, Mr Hill said things were “business as usual”.

“We’ve done consultation with our staff and the town, and just said that we’re trying to get the investigation over as quickly as possible,” he said.

Mr Marshall was suspended shortly after his 12 months notice of resignation was approved by the council at its December 2025 meeting.

During that meeting, Mr Marshall told the council he enjoyed his time in the position and believed the shire was in a wonderful state in regards to its financial, asset management and governance.

“True legacy is not what you leave behind, it is what you leave within others. Hopefully I have left something to go on with,” he said.

At the time, it was understood his last day of work would be November 23, 2026, but he would take leave until his contract was due to end in April 2027.

Mr Marshall was due to complete eight years of service at the shire in July 2026.