Town fires Longboat building official

After two years with the town of Longboat Key, Building Official Darin Cushing was fired for undisclosed reasons Thursday, leaving the town temporarily unable to issue permits.

“It was a personnel issue and I don’t discuss those,” said Planning, Zoning and Building Director Alaina Ray.

On his latest performance evaluation, submitted Sept. 22, Ray noted Cushing needed to improve organizational skills, and be more responsive to contractors and residents.

“Darin has stumbled a bit in this area over the last few months,” she wrote. “Training in organizational and time management should assist with ensuring timely responses to citizens and contracts.” 

Still, he received a 2.6% raise to $75,420, and Ray praised Cushing’s commitment to new goals and his flexibility.

“Darin will drop everything too handle a crisis or urgent situation,” she wrote.

But in a Dec. 21 memo regaring a plan to improve performance issues, the document outlines phone calls not being returned in a timely manner, lack of communication between property owners and permitting staff, as well as being out of the office too often.

“No one knows where you are or when you’ll be back,” it states.

Bradenton Beach Building Official Steve Gilbert, who works on contract for a firm the town of Longboat Key also uses, will split time between the two municipalities until the town finds a hire for the position.

Less than 15 minutes after Ray notified staff of the termination, Cushing sent a final email from his iPhone.

“The town may not issue permits, perform inspections or perform plan reviews effectively immediately,” he wrote.

Earlier: After two years with the town of Longboat Key, Building Official Darin Cushing was fired for undisclosed reasons Thursday.

“It was a personnel issue and I don’t discuss those,” said Planning, Zoning and Building Director Alaina Ray.

Bradenton Beach Building Official Steve Gilbert, who works on contract for a firm the town of Longboat Key also uses, will split time between the two municipalities. 

Cushing, who previously worked for Manatee County and the city of Bradenton, was responsible for management and administrative work in the town’s planning department. The personnel move comes a year after construction on the Key hit a five-year high.

This is a developing story, and more information will be added as it becomes available.