Item O18
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: August 20, 2008
Division: Mayor Mario DiGennaro, District 4
Bulk Item: Yes
Staff Contact Person: Tanlara Lundstrom
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Approyal of a Resolution censuring a County Commissioner and directing staff to draft a
proposed policy for future infractions of County policy by a County Commissioner.
ITEM BACKGROUND: I
It has been brought to the attention of the County Commission that the County's e-mail I
function has been used inappropriately by a Commissioner in violation of Countts
policies and procedures and specifically County Administrative Instruction 4404.2.5.
This Resolution censures the Commissioner and directs staff to draft a proposed policy to
be used by the Board for any future infractions of County policy by a County
Commissioner.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approval.
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes No
COST TO COUNTY:
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: YES NO AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
-~- -
APPROVED BY: County Arty ~ OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management
DOCUMENTATION: Inc1uded_X_ Not Required
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA Item#
Mayor Mario Di Gennaro
RESOLUTION NO.
-2008
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
CENSURING A COMMISSIONER
WHEREAS, on occasion a commissioner may act in a manner which is not within the
acceptable norm of behavior but for which there are no remedies available or disciplinary action
which can be taken; and
WHEREAS, it has been brought to the attention of the County Commission that Commissioner
George Neugent has, using the County e-mail function, sent a video which is composed of
excerpts wherein women's breasts are bared; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Neugent has also sent other e-mails with content that include,
statements about injuring other commissioners and about politicking to have other
commissioners removed through the political process;
WHEREAS, some commissioners and some constituents have voiced outrage at the use of
County e-mail to forward this video, including transmission to County staff members; and
WHEREAS, other e-mails containing material which some commissioners find improper have
been sent by Commissioner Neugent using the County e-mail function; and
WHEREAS, there is a provision in County Administrative Instruction 4404.2.5 prohibiting
improper use of the Internet, including "receipt and dissemination of sexually explicit. . .
information"; and
WHEREAS, the County Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual provides in the statement
of intent that all officials and employees shall comply with the personnel program and that it is
considered misuse of time to distribute unauthorized literature; and
WHEREAS, there is no provision in County policies and procedures for discipline of County
commissioners; and
WHEREAS, the County Commission is limited to passing a resolution setting forth its findings
of inappropriate behavior and directing staff to draft and bring back to the Board of County
Commissioners a policy regarding actions which could be taken by the Board for infractions by
commissioners;
Censure Com. Neugent
1
Mayor Mario Di Gennaro
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
1. We find the transmission through the County e-mail server of a video displaying numerous
shots of women's bared breasts and other incidents to be an improper use of County property.
2. We censure Commissioner George Neugent for said conduct.
3. We direct staff to draft a proposed policy which could be used by the Board of County
Commissioners to invoke remedies and penalties for infractions of County policy by a County
commissioner.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the _ day of ,2008.
Mayor Mario DiGennaro
Mayor Pro Tern Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar
(SEAL)
Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
By
Deputy Clerk
Mayor/Chairperson
Censure Com. Neugent
2