Grand Jury says: Allegations against Quincy commissioners “unfounded”

Last week, a grand jury determined that no criminal charges will be brought against Quincy commissioners.

It was determined that there was insufficient evidence to proceed on any allegations regarding the allegations made against the commissioners regarding claimed Sunshine Law violations and commission salary increases.

The grand jury’s presentment says all allegations made by former City Manager Jack McLean were determined to be unfounded or devoid of evidence to corroborate the allegations.

The matter went before the Grand Jury, made up of Gadsden County citizens, on November 9, December 14, and March 1 to review the facts and circumstances surrounding the pay increases the Quincy City Commission gave themselves in September.

In September, the commissioners voted 3-2 to increase their salaries by 20,000, moving their pay from around $16,000 a year to about $37,000 a year.

Commissioner Dowdell, Commissioner Anessa Albritton-Canidate and Mayor Ronte Harris voted in favor of the raises.

The inquiry was initiated by the Grand Jury.

The document says the grand jury asked State Attorney Jack Campbell to investigate the matter and present the facts and circumstances surrounding the 122 percent pay increase for the grand jury’s review.

The grand jury heard testimony from former City Manager Jack McLean, Commissioner Angela Grant Sapp, Commissioner Freida Bass-Prieto, Commissioner Dowdell, Quincy City Clerk Janice Shackelford, as well as Florida Department of Law Enforcement Agent Rob Giddens - who investigated the matter.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigated the allegations.

The document says Dowdell and Harris admitted the meeting that allegedly violated Florida’s Sunshine Law did occur, but both denied that the raises were discussed on either occasion.

The investigation also included inspection of the cell phone communications between McLean, Dowdell, and Harris, but no additional information could be obtained from the cell phones, other than confirmation that there were phone conversations between them, the presentment states.

It was also revealed in court documents that during one of the grand jury sessions, McLean alleged that Dowdell and Harris violated the Sunshine Law requirements by conducting two secret meetings prior to the vote on September 28 to discuss the pay raises.

The grand jury also reviewed the Charter of the City of Quincy, and the salaries of all city commissioners statewide.

The grand jury findings also note that the City of Quincy has approximately 7,800 residents, compared to the state average-per-city of 26,130.

The average salary for commissioners across the state is $9,694 (more than $27,000 less than what Quincy commissioners are making), the document states.

The presentment says in comparing the salaries of commissioners statewide, the City Quincy ranks 13th among 411 municipalities.

The grand jury found that Quincy Commissioners salaries are disproportionately higher than those of similarly situated municipalities and recommended that the commission adopt a charter amendment that recommends a return to the prior salary with no more than a two percent increase, among several other amendment suggestions.

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

Grand Jury says: Allegations against Quincy commissioners “unfounded”

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Grand Jury says: Allegations against Quincy commissioners “unfounded”

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Submerged vehicle, driver lost in the Ochlockonee River

Cigar Day returning to Havana this weekend

Cigar Day returning to Havana this weekend

Recommended

Jags suffer first round playoff loss

Holiday happenings in Downtown Quincy

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