Investigation reveals issues with P&Z director

Longboat Key Police Capt. Bill Tokajer’s notes from interviews conducted over the past week in an internal investigation reveal ongoing employee issues with Planning Zoning & Building Director Monica Simpson.

The investigation stems from an incident that occurred last Friday in which two P&Z employees complained to Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle, who was then serving as acting town manager, about Simpson.

Hogle asked Tokajer to conduct an investigation.

Employee comments about Simpson in Tokajer’s notes include:

“Monica is fair; she treats everyone the same way.”

“People are in fear and terror as to how she is going to react when asked for clarification on a task.”

“Some days she is nice, then it’s like a switch flips and she blows up.”

“She is like the abusive mother abusing you all day then trying to make up with cookies.”

“She was a great coworker but has poor management skills.”

“So bad I’m breaking out in a rash from the stress and having to see a doctor.”

Of the 10 employees Tokajer interviewed, one said that she was recently hired and hadn’t been in the department long enough to make determination and another said that she tunes out everything in the office. Of the remaining eight employees whom Tokajer spoke with, all eight said that Simpson was verbally abusive; seven said seven said that she creates a stressful work environment; five said that they were in fear or terror about asking any questions because of abusive reactions; and three said that Simpson uses profanities when yelling that can be heard throughout the building.

Tokajer listed possible offenses, including violation of town or departmental policies and violation of standards of conduct; insubordination; discourteous, insulting, abusive or inflammatory language or conduct toward the public or a coworker; and threatening, intimidating, coercing or interfering with fellow employees or supervision.”

Simpson was hired by the town in 2001 and earns an annual salary of $104,520. She remains on administrative leave with pay, according to the town’s human resources manager, Lisa Silvertooth. The town will bring in an independent local attorney who is not affiliated with the town to conduct an investigation.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].