Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 03-11-08 Special agenda ‎(finance director)‎ — reading text

to dread to go to work" and " is the reason I ( Wunker) am looking for other jobs." Wunker feels that Absher abuses her authority and does not fulfill her duties as Finance Director and often requires Wunker to complete tasks which are unrelated to those typically assigned. For example, in the past, Absher directed Wunker to investigate City employees with a retaliatory intent and research employees' backgrounds and files to obtain information to use against them. Additionally, Wunker stated that the Finance Director inappropriately uses profanity in the work place, disparages City officials and is derogatory to her. Wunker heard Absher refer to an elected official as a " lying sack of shit that could not be trusted" and told Wunker that she has a bad home life and should never have been hired in the first place." Absher' s actions have caused Wunker to become extremely emotional and cry in the workplace. Absher has further instructed Wunker not to avail herself of the City Human Resources' functions, even for the purpose of filing complaints or seeking referrals to the Employee Assistance Program. Wunker expressed no concern with the City Manager who she interacts with on a regular basis during meetings. Wunker stated, " Joyce is very professional in all of the meetings that I have attended." However, Wunker noted that there were " tense interactions" between Shanahan and Absher. Wunker is unsure why Absher became defensive each time the City Manager would request information.  Carol Godwin, Senior Accountant Carol Godwin serves as a Senior Accountant in the Finance Department and directly reports the to Comptroller and Finance Director. According to Godwin, Absher " lacks professionalism and routinely makes inappropriate comments." On two separate occasions, Godwin recalls Absher causing the Comptroller, Wunker, to leave the office in tears. Absher has told Godwin that she " never should have hired someone with marital problems because she knew she wouldn' t work out." In addition, Absher has a " lack of regard for her duties." For example, two times Absher has missed payroll filing deadlines and City employees would have gone without pay if not for the City' s close relationship with the bank. Godwin feels that " many times Lisa Absher) Overall, Godwin believes that Absher " makes Fort does not worry about tasks." Walton Beach not a happy place to work" and " will resign if Lisa (Absher) is not removed." N Mari Johnson, Accountant Mari Johnson serves as an Accountant in the City' s Finance Department. While Johnson directly reports to the Comptroller and she also reports to the Finance Director. Johnson views Absher as " not trustworthy" and " inconsistent" in the manner in which she oversees the Finance Department. The Finance Director " always changes the rules" and never puts anything in writing." When issues arise based upon the performance of the Finance Department, Absher, " blames Wunker and Johnson during meetings for Absher' s own actions." Absher constantly " tries to put people against one another." Johnson stated that Absher' s actions will cause her to resign from the City. Absher demanded that Johnson assist her in an ongoing feud with and employee Joceline Main. After Johnson asked to not become involved in the conflict she was accused of disloyalty and retaliated against in the form of an extended probation. Charlotte Dunworth, Budgets and Grants Manama Charlotte Dunworth serves as Budgets and Grants Manager for the City and is supervised by the Finance Director. Dunworth believes that the Finance Director " causes the deterioration of morale" throughout the Finance Department and " creates a frustrating environment." On several occasions Absher has brought Dunworth to tears in the workplace and exhibits an overall disdain for the City. Dunworth reports that Absher consistently disparages the City and refers to it as not operating " like a normal city." Absher further speaks to employees in demeaning and insulting tones and seeks to engender distrust and conflict. Dunworth states that Absher routinely fails to perform required tasks as Finance Director and fellow Finance Department employees must step in to complete the work in a timely manner. Additionally, Absher " does not act as part of the City team" and constantly " creates feelings of distrust." On one occasion, Absher initiated a policy to have purchasing and budget transfer thresholds to be consistent and directed Dunworth to draft the policy. Absher then told other employees that Shanahan had in fact initiated the policy change. As in this instance, the Finance Director " gives instructions verbally so there is no traceability to her" and constantly has a " me vs. you" attitude. Dunworth believes that employees are accused of disloyalty by Absher and are subsequently retaliated against in the workplace. She reports that Absher is openly critical of both the City and its employees. She expresses great frustration and distrust of Absher who demonstrates a pattern of misleading conduct. Absher has simply made her job miserable. She professes a great regard for the City and her job but feels that Absher has made the job unbearable. Joceline Main, Administrative Coordinator Joceline Main serves as the Administrative Coordinator for the Finance Department and reports directly to the Finance Director. Main has expressed significant difficulty working with the Finance Director. Main reports that Absher " does not act professionally" and " threatened termination if she contacted Human Resources." Absher also inappropriately requested specific medical information from Main after she missed a day of work. Main constantly feels uncomfortable" and does not understand why Absher " told her and her husband not to attend City Council meetings." Main constantly fears retaliation from Absher. Main believes Absher retaliated against her after discovering that she visited Human Resources by taking away her computer privileges. Following this occasion, and on many others, Main was reduced to tears by Absher' s offensive conduct. Main is currently on medical leave due to stress related to her employment and specifically that " related to Absher." Absher believes that Main is conducting surveillance of her actions at the prompting of a City Council Member. Because of this she constantly berates, interrogates and accuses Main of disloyalty. Absher admits that she directed Main not to interact with certain City officials and employees and confirms that she instructed Main that neither she nor her husband should attend Council Meetings. Kimberly Barnes, Customer Service Administrator Kimberly Barnes serves as the Customer Service Administrator and reports directly to the Finance Director. Barnes describes Absher as a " friend ". Barnes did not have any serious complaints about any City employee, but noted that Absher failed to conduct Barnes annual review. Barnes also corroborated Main' s indication that she was directed not to report to Human Resources for any reason. However, Barnes does not recall Absher threatening termination for doing so.  Carol Jones- Executive Assistant Manazer Carol Jones serves as Executive Assistant Manager to Shanihan and has worked with her in some capacity over the past ten years. Jones has had the opportunity to interact with the Charter Officers on a regular basis and has a professional relationship with three of them. Jones describes the City Attorney as " professional" and " quick responding." The City Clerk is timely" and has " served the City well." With regard to Shanahan, Jones enjoys working for her and has " absolutely never reported any problems with Shanahan to anyone." Jones believes that " from the get -go, nobody at the City was good enough for Absher." In addition, Jones stated that Absher considers everyone " country bumpkins" and " criticizes everyone that works for the City." Jones further describes Absher as " devious ", " manipulative ", and as " always trying to set people against each other." Jones also witnesses instances of Absher' s conduct which she believes are " wholly unprofessional" and " inappropriate." Jones indicated that on one occasion, Absher attempted to force Jones into approving a requisition without the consent of the City Manager. Absher became angry when Jones would not consent to violating City policy. On another occasion, Jones witnessed Main crying at the workplace after " getting called out like a child on a playground" by Absher for no specific reason. In general, Jones disagrees with the manner in which Absher conducts herself as the Finance Director. D  Department Directors Thomas Murray, Public Works Director Thomas Murray serves as the Public Works Director for the City and interacts with the Charter Officers on a regular basis. Murray has no complaints about the City Clerk, City Attorney, and the City Manager and describes their conduct as " professional in all respects." Professionally however, Murray believes that Absher does not fulfill her obligations as Finance Director and in some instances,. oversteps her authority. For example, Murray notes that Absher exceeded her spending authority by ten times the authorized amount on one occasion, and on another, transferred funds without authorization which caused a funding shortage and requisition delays for his Department. Murray reports a very strained relationship with the Finance Director due to a general lack of trust in her. Murray feels that she " plays semantics ", " lies ", is " argumentative" for no apparent reason, and " causes the tension to rise in meetings." Murray also stated that Absher constantly denies statements in direct contradiction of her previous actions. During contractor interviews, Absher acted without reason and suggested that the Utilities Director, John Hofstad, was " biased" and the decision was already made as to which company the City would pick. Murray believes this conduct was completely uncalled for and done without regard to the consequences for the City. Overall, Murray feels that Absher " acts very unprofessional" and " unnecessarily creates work for others." N  John Hofstad, Utilities Director John Hofstad serves as the Utilities Director for the City. In his role as Utilities Director, Hofstad has routine interaction with the City Manager and Finance Director. While he does not interact with the City Clerk and City Attorney on a regular basis, he reports that all interactions with them have been without incident and positive. With regard to the City Manager, Hofstad describes her as a " determined and focused individual" whom is " very detailed oriented" and " conscientious." All of Hofstad' s interactions with Shanahan are positive and at no time has he witnessed her usage of profanity or abusive language towards employees. Hofstad describes an