Jerome W. Klasmeier, a long-serving Anne Arundel County administrator who oversaw high-profile projects such as the renovation of the Circuit Court building and construction of Arundel Mills, said yesterday that his last day on the job will be Dec. 13.

Klasmeier, who for a year has served as special projects coordinator for County Executive Janet S. Owens, said that his contract with the county, which was extended six months in June, had not been renewed.

Klasmeier said he was notified of the decision Monday by Chief Administrative Officer John M. Brusnighan, who a year ago replaced Klasmeier, 62, in that position - the county's top appointed official.

Also Monday, Brusnighan asked 27 Cabinet members, all of them appointed officials, to submit letters of resignation so that Owens could replace them if she chose.

Although it's not unusual for newly elected officials to make such a request, it is somewhat odd for incumbents such as Owens, who has had four years to arrange her Cabinet. The Democrat from Millersville was elected to a second term last month.

An Owens spokesman said yesterday that she was grateful for Klasmeier's many years of dedicated public service. "The county executive always said that Jerry Klasmeier was the best project manager in Anne Arundel County," said spokesman Matt Diehl.

Klasmeier, who served as deputy secretary of the state Department of General Services from 1977 to 1991 before joining county government, said yesterday that he had performed the duties described in his contract and was ready to move on.

A year ago, he agreed to dedicate himself to transferring the former David Taylor Research Center from the Navy to private developer Annapolis Partners, which plans to raze most of the existing buildings and construct an opulent office park.

The former naval installation, where scientists experimented with submarine and warfare technology, was successfully transferred to Annapolis Partners in October. Klasmeier said that he will meet with Land Use Officer Robert L. Walker, who will act as point-person for the county regarding the project, on his last day.

Klasmeier, who lives with his wife in Crownsville, said he looks forward to finding a new job.

"I don't feel like I need to stop working," he said from his office at the Arundel Center in Annapolis. "I still feel like I have a lot to offer."

When Owens moved Klasmeier out of the chief administrative position a year ago, she said she did so because he was working too hard and she worried about his health. She tapped Brusnighan to take over for Klasmeier the same day that Brusnighan, who was then director of public works, was set to retire.

Klasmeier reportedly upset Owens when he refused to sign off on a redevelopment agreement with Parole Plaza owner Carl Freedman.

Klasmeier, who was recently appointed to a volunteer post on the Anne Arundel Community College board of trustees, dismissed rumors that he was going to work for Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

"There have been no inquiries," Klasmeier said.

Director of Recreation and Parks Dennis M. Callahan, a former Annapolis mayor and close adviser to Owens, said he was sorry to see Klasmeier go.

"He was a good administrator and he is an exceptionally nice guy," Callahan said. "The taxpayers got their money's worth out of Jerry Klasmeier."