County administrator submits resignation

Sarasota County Administrator Jim Ley submitted his resignation today amid a wide-ranging scandal in the county’s procurement department.

“It’s clear I have become the issue; I have become the lightning rod,” Ley said in a statement at today’s County Commission meeting.

Seven county employees have been fired or resigned for offenses ranging from allegedly accepting thousands of dollars in gifts from companies securing lucrative county bids to improperly using county credit cards.

“I take responsibility as the leader of this organization,” Ley said.

The County Commission deferred a decision, possibly until tomorrow, so they could review Ley’s written offer.

If he was terminated without cause, he would be eligible for $385,000 in total compensation, however he has crafted and signed an agreement that would be equal to his annual salary and benefits.

“It would only be $265,833.10,” Ley said.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].