By Linda Dean Cooper

Paid administrative leave for Levy County Emergency Management Director, John MacDonald is over.  It is official, Director John MacDonald was fired effective 5 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2024. MacDonald was on temporary paid leave since October 5, pending an investigation.

County Manager Mary Ellen Harper has checked all the boxes since being hired as Levy’s first county manager, on August 29, 2024.  Levy is one of the last two counties to transition from a coordinator to a true manager.  

From the beginning, Harper touted that she wants transparency for taxpayers with proper written processes and procedures for employees.  She delivered on that vision with the MacDonald investigation. Below is Harper’s process after she received a complaint regarding MacDonald’s possible inappropriate behavior in the workplace.

Oct 15, 2024 – Notice of Investigation by Human Resources

October 15, 2024, an email to MacDonald which appears to be a personal email address, notifying him the County has received a complaint regarding possible inappropriate behavior in the workplace and that he will be the subject of an investigation into those concerns.

The email goes on to say the County will be interviewing potential witnesses over the coming weeks through its outside employment counsel, Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A. Your interview for this matter will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Levy County Government Center, 310 School Street, Room 112, Bronson, FL.

You shall not discuss this investigation with any Levy County employees or potential witnesses to this investigation until it has concluded, except as may otherwise be required by law or by a court of competent jurisdiction.  I would also like to remind you of the County’s policy against retaliation and you are advised that any violations of this policy may subject an individual to discipline up to and including termination.

Oct 25, 2024 – Investigative Summary & Report to HR

The Basis for Investigation Report Allen Norton & Blue P.A.

On or about October 7, 224 Mary-Ellen Harper, County Manager, was made aware that the spouse of the Director of Emergency Management, John MacDonald, was employed by a current contractor of the County, AC Disaster Consulting, LLC. Ms. Harper looked up Mr. MacDonald’s spouse and found that Mrs. MacDonald’s LinkedIn profile showed she has been employed by AC Disaster Consulting since 2022.  Due to Mr. MacDonald not having previously disclosed his wife’s employment with AC Disaster Consulting in writing and the County’s current utilization of AC Disaster Consult for multiple services, Mr.  MacDonald was placed on paid administrative leave.

Nov 4, 2024, 3:23 PM – Email to BoCC & Commissioners Elect

This was an FYI email for the commissars and the commissioners-elect. It included the Summary & Report for MacDonald, his pre-determination hearing. Harper continued that she considered the nature and severity of the violation, considered information MacDonald presented during the pre-determination hearing, and determined that termination of Mr. MacDonald is the appropriate disciplinary action, and will be terminated effective, Monday, November 4, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

Nov 4, 2024 – Written Notice of Termination of County Employment

A letter of written notice of termination of county employment was sent to MacDonald’s home address.

The letter goes into detail from the Notice of Investigation on October 15 to the pre-determination hearing on October 31, the policy violations, his final paycheck to be issued and finally, COBRA information to extend his coverage under any qualified group insurance plans.  The County will box up any personal items that were left in his office for him to pick up or the County will deliver to his home address.

Harper’s management style of holding employees accountable for their actions gives me hope that she will continue to drain the swamp.  Most of us who have witnessed years of  BoCC’s bad management practices are hopeful she will continue what she has started!

Below: A PDF copy of Investigation Report, Notice of Investigation and Termination, & Email to BoCC

———————-

Posted November 5, 2024