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

entirely different relationship with the Finance Director. Hofstad does not know where he stands" with her and claims Absher " lacks integrity ", " is untruthful ", and is a " backstabber." During a bid proposal interview with outside contractors Absher referred to Hofstad as " biased" and called him out by name in front of each of the firms. Absher also skewed the interview results by awarding zeros as a score even though the minimum scoring started at one. Following this meeting, Murray sent out an email defending Hofstad and Absher reacted angrily. She came to his office and " berated" him for fifteen minutes, verbally assaulting him for having Murray send an email out in his defense. Absher also improperly accused Hofstad of lying on several different occasions. However, according to Hofstad, Absher did not offer any specifics when questioned regarding her unsubstantiated allegations. Hofstad describes a very difficult working environment where the Finance Director told Hofstad to not go to her office for any further interactions. Absher did not offer any reason for C this directive, but Hofstad believes this will reduce the City' s efficiency if he can no longer interact with the Finance Director. JeffPeters, Parks and Recreation_Director Jeff Peters serves as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City. He reports that all interactions with the City Manager are positive and she is " always professional." Peters believes that the Finance Director " undermines the City Manager" and is a " two- faced backstabber." Absher falsely accused Peters of being a " cheat" and accused him of wrongdoing associated with a referee contract. However, at no time has Absher offered any evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Peters. He believes she " causes lots of problems" for no reason. Mike Dutton, Fire Chief Fire Chief Mike Dutton interacts routinely with the Charter Officers as part of his duties. Chief Dutton has " never had a bad meeting with the City Manager" and she is " always professional." Chief Dutton thinks the Finance Director " causes lots of problems" and attempted to Absher strain the relationship with Union" and " create unnecessary conflict between people." also told the Fire Chief she was going to cut firefighter personnel without having the authority to do so. Chief Dutton believes that Absher is " counterproductive" and " hindering the City' s government ", with the knowledge that she is exempt from the City' s policies so " she can do whatever she wants and will not be fired." David Jenzen, Internet Technologies Director David Jenzen serves as the City' s Internet Technologies Director. Jenzen enjoys a " very with the City Manager and " respects her decisions." Jenzen good working relationship" describes Shanahan as " great" and " always professional." The Finance Director however, " makes him [ Jenzen] very weary" and he documents all interactions with her Department. Absher routinely blames others for delays and argues all the time regardless of the matter' s significance. Jenzen believes Absher is " not trustworthy" and could turn a communication around to be against you at any moment." Additionally, Absher speaks badly about the City Manager regularly" and " directed employees not to have contact with a retiring employee." Jenzen believes that Absher is causing many employees to consider resigning from the City and he will resign if she remains the City' s Finance Director.  Missy McKim, CommuniU Development Services Director Missy McKim serves as the City' s CDS Director. In her position, McKim has regular interactions with the City Manager and Finance Director. McKim describes the City Manager as " professional" and " easy to work with." McKim has a " terrible working relationship" with the Finance Director and believes she does not assist on City -wide projects." Absher " always says she will do something, but never does" and " never gets necessary information" to McKim when requested. McKim also believes that Absher is " very accusatory" and " does not get along with most Department Directors." M Mark Wiltsie, Human Resources Director Mark Wiltsie serves as the Human Resources Director for the City. Wiltsie believes that Absher causes many employees to file complaints and brings numerous employees to tears while working. Wiltsie believes that Absher is " dishonest" and " argumentative." On one occasion, Absher falsely told the Purchasing Director that Wiltsie would not allow an employee to go to an Employee Assistance Program. In fact, Absher directed her own employees to not go to Wiltsie. As a result of Absher' s dishonesty, Wiltsie only communicates with Ms Absher in writing. Wiltsie also feels that Absher " intentionally holds requisitions to interfere with other departments" and " misallocates funds to delay progress." Michael Beedie- Utilities Operations Manager Michael Beedie reports no issues with the City Attorney, City Clerk, or City Manager. However, Beedie has interacted with the Finance Director on several occasions and believes she acted unprofessionally. In Beedie' s role as Utilities Operations Manager he is included on the Storm Utility Selection Committee and the Wastewater Evaluation Commission. The Finance Director was also a member of the Committees with Beedie. Beedie believes that Absher' s conduct was unprofessional and unwarranted. Absher did not use a proper scoring method which resulted in scores that were completely skewed her final results and when told about her error, she told Beedie to " throw her scores out" even though this practice is not permitted. Beedie believes her actions caused the selection process to be flawed. Additionally, Absher called Hofstad " biased" during a meeting with potential contractors and created a situation which Beedie refers to as " the most uncomfortable I' ve ever felt." Beedie wanted to file a formal complaint against Absher for her actions, but Hofstad told him to refrain from doing so while he attempted to diffuse the situation. Beedie states that Murray followed up the meeting with an email relating to Absher' s actions which then lead to Absher berating Hofstad in his office. Ted Litschauer, Police Chief Overall, Police Chief Ted Litschauer has a positive working relationship with the City' s Charter Officers. However, Chief Litschauer acknowledges the tension between the City Manager and Finance Director. He believes Absher mishandles travel requests which results in an inefficient process.  Mike Tatum, Purchasing Director Mike Tatum serves as the Purchasing Director for the City and interacts routinely with the City Manager. He believes she is " always professional ", a " great person to work for ", and a very honest person." Cam] City of Fort Walton Beach Internal Investigation Report March 6, 2008 Investigatory Procedure The attorneys assigned to this matter developed a preliminary witness list which included all of the Charter Officers and Department Directors. The need to conduct workplace searches and whether or not there were reasons to relocate witnesses were considered. Prior to, and following, each interview, the witnesses were informed that they could not be retaliated against for taking part in this investigation. Each witness was briefed on the nature of this investigation before being asked relevant questions. Witnesses were also asked to provide any pertinent documentation to our office for inclusion in the final report. After interviewing numerous witnesses, the names of additional employees came to light and subsequently scheduled for interviews. All interviews were tape recorded in order to preserve the testimony and notes were taken contemporaneously. Additionally, numerous citizens volunteered to voice their personal opinions and views. Several of these citizens were interviewed and their input is included in this report. This report includes factual findings, conclusions, and recommended action. The instant investigation was commenced at the direction and delegation of the City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor. Labor and employment attorneys experienced in workplace investigations were selected to conduct this process. ( See resumes in Appendix " A "). City of Fort Walton Beach Internal Investigation Report March 1, 2008 Nature of the Inquiry This investigation was initiated pursuant to Mayor Mike Anderson' s Charter Authority at Title II, Section 12. In particular, the issue to be investigated is as follows: An investigation into the working relationships and workplace interaction among the Charter Officers and among the Charter Officers and the Officials and employees of the City." It is not the intent of this inquiry to draw conclusions. Rather, the purpose is to set forth the facts and witness testimony as stated, and report this information to the City Council. City of Fort Walton Beach Internal Investigation Report March 6, 2008 Witness List Joyce Shanahan- City Manager Toni Craig- City Attorney Helen Spencer- City Clerk Lisa Absher- Finance Director Mike Dutton- Fire Department Chief Jim Frazier- Golf Course Director John Hofstad- Utilities Director David Jenzen- Internet Technologies Director Ted Litschauer- Police Department Chief Missy McKim- CDS Director Tom Murray- Public Works Director Jeff Peters- Parks & Recreation Director Mike Tatum- Purchasing Director Mark Wiltsie- Human Resources Director Michael Beedie- Utilities Operations Manager Brandy Wunker- Comptroller Kim Barnes- Customer Service Administrator Carol Godwin- Senior Accountant Mari Johnson- Accountant  Charlotte Dunworth- Grants and Budget Manager Jo Main- Administrative Coordinator Lee McDonald- Citizen Robert Rettie- Citizen Dick Gercak- Citizen Charles Davidson- Citizen W- 03/ 11/ 2008 15: 31 FAX 8505810332 ALLEN NORTON BLUE IM 002 FWB INVESTIGATION INDEX TO EXHBITS Exhibit Bates No. I. Witness File - Helen Spencer 0001 2. Witness File - Tmy Craig 0002- 01S8 3. 1 Witness File —Lisa Absher 0159 -0434 4. Witness File 7— Joyce Shanahan 0435 -0449 S. Witness File —Brand Wunkear 0450-0535 6. Witness File - Carol Godwin 0536 -0538 7. Witness He - Mari Johnson 0539 -0620 S. Witness Fite - Charlotte Dunworth 06214647