Simpson resigns as P&Z director

Monica Simpson resigned from her position as Longboat Key Planning Zoning & Building Director in a Dec. 2 letter to interim Town Manager David Bullock.

“It is with mixed emotions, but with much excitement for the future that I submit this letter of resignation from my position at the town of Longboat Key,” Simpson wrote in her letter. 

Simpson will receive 90 days’ severance pay in addition to payment for unused vacation time. She will also remain available to the town as an independent consultant for $97.50 per hour. The agreement can be terminated within five days’ notice by either party.

Simpson’s resignation came approximately three days after attorney H. Hamilton “Chip” Rice finished his investigation of employee allegations that Simpson bullied employees and created a hostile work environment.

Rice told Bullock of his observations verbally, according to Bullock, but did not generate a written report. Bullock declined to discuss Rice’s recommendations Monday.

“At this point, I don’t think that it matters that much,” Bullock said. “We know what the outcome is, and I don’t think it serves any purpose at this point.”

Bullock also declined to discuss whether Simpson was given the opportunity to remain in her position.

Ongoing investigation
Simpson had been on paid administrative leave since Friday, Oct. 14, after a P&Z employee approached Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle, who was serving as acting town manager, and reported that he felt bullied by Simpson. He told Hogle that Simpson frequently yelled at him and other employees, used profanity and created a hostile work environment. A second P&Z employee confirmed the first employee’s account.

Hogle offered Simpson three month’s severance pay in exchange for her resignation.

Hogle also contacted town labor attorney H. Reynolds Allen, who told him that he could use Police Capt. Bill Tokajer to conduct an investigation that included interviews with P&Z employees. Town Attorney David Persson, who was on vacation at the time but was reached the evening of Oct. 14, suggested that an outside party could interview employees but concurred that Tokajer was an acceptable choice, as long as his role was not to “see proof beyond a reasonable doubt but rather a fact-finding mission to determine the next best step.”

But the commission questioned Hogle’s actions at an emergency meeting Oct. 17. They expressed concerns about the speed at which Hogle acted and his use of a uniformed police captain to conduct the personnel investigation. The commission voted 5-2 to remove Hogle from the position of acting town manager, appointing Susan Phillips, assistant to the town manager, as acting town manager, until Bullock assumed the position Nov. 1. The town later hired Rice to conduct an investigation of the allegations against Simpson.

Mayor Jim Brown expressed sorrow in the loss of Simpson but also confidence in Rice’s investigation.

“There were just too many rushes to judgment,” he said of the initial investigation. “We were doing too many things too quickly. I’m glad that we did what we did.”

Vice Mayor David Brenner expressed similar sentiments.

“It’s a shame that she had to leave, but I’m confident that a thorough investigation was done,” he said. “It was fair and that was the objective.”

Future planning
Bullock said that the town will continue to rely on Simpson, who was hired by the town in 2001 and promoted to P&Z director in 2006, throughout its transition period in her work as a consultant. In the short-term, the P&Z department will likely continue to operate as it has since Bullock took on the role of town manager, with Town Planner Steve Schield handling planning issues and Building Official John Fernandez responsible for building officials.

Bullock said that he is in the beginning stages of searching for a long-term replacement for Simpson.

“I think that this is a good time to be in the marketplace looking,” he said. “A lot of municipalities and cities in the state are basically shrinking their staffs. I think there are a lot of folks who would be interested.”

Simpson’s Resignation letter
Dear Mr. Bullock,
It is with mixed emotions, but with much excitement for the future that I submit this letter of resignation from my position at the town of Longboat Key. Over the past 10 years, I have had the privilege of serving the town and the community. I have had the opportunity to get to know, to love and to respect the people of the town.

It is because of these cherished relationships that were built over the past decade that I offer my professional services and expertise to the town in the future. I have respect for the town and would welcome an opportunity to assist the people who want to help the town continue to develop. The best for the town has, and remains to be, of the utmost importance to me.

As I move into the next phase of my professional career, I sincerely thank all of the people of Longboat Key for their endless support. I personally look forward to the opportunity to work with the town in the future. I thank you for your professionalism and courtesy in the time that we have worked together.
Best regards,
Monica Simpson