(Updated at 11:00 a.m.) After just four months on the job, 
County Manager Michael Brown has abruptly resigned. His resignation letter arrived at the county board offices yesterday.
“I hearby resign the position of County Manager for Arlington County effective today,” Brown wrote. “This action is regrettable but necessary because of the health of my wife Linda Lee. I need to take time now to assist her.”
“Arlington is a fine community and I was pleased to serve here,” Brown concluded. “I wish you all the best in the future.”
County Board Chairman Jay Fisette said Brown will likely be returning to Savannah, where he was served as city manager for 15 years before coming to Arlington.
“He’s a real gentleman and we appreciate his efforts here,” Fisette said. “We wish him the best.”
Barbara Donnellan, formerly the interim county manager, was appointed the new permanent county manager at 10:20 this morning. She is Arlington’s first permanent female county manager.
Fisette says Donnellan, who has been with Arlington County for 27 years, will be able to “hit the ground running.”
“There will be no noticeable transition, nothing will fall through the cracks with Barbara,” he said. “She knows the organization inside and out… we are pleased to have someone of her capacity and ability available to step in.”