AP Lawsuit Involving Adelt Still Pending

Avon Park City Manager Sarah Adelt said Tuesday night she received a voice mail from Brian Koji, a city attorney and partner with Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A., that a lawsuit filed against her and the city is still pending.

Public Works Department Coordinator Ted Long filed a lawsuit against Adelt last Thursday, seeking a court order for the release of public records which he claimed Adelt did not provide.

After getting out of a late city meeting on Tuesday afternoon, Adelt said that she had taken notes in several one-on-one interviews with city employees who had filed official grievance forms.

"It was my understanding that (my notes) were not a public record," Adelt said.

After she was advised that the notes were a public record, Adelt said that she gave them to Long and his attorney.

"I have nothing to hide," Adelt said.

The employee interviews were held on March 6 and 13. A pre-disciplinary hearing with Long and his attorney is scheduled for April 1, she said.

The lawsuit was filed after Adelt had sent Long a letter advising him that she was considering disciplinary action against him, up to and including potential termination.

In the lawsuit, filed in the 10th Judicial Circuit Court, Long said he filed a written request with Adelt to examine all documents alleging any problems with his management of public works, and "any and all public records in support of any allegations of violating any city policy."

Adelt stated in her letter that despite prior discussions, he has not met her expectations with respect to management of the Public Works Department.

She had added that "a number of your subordinate employees have expressed concerns regarding the working environment and/or the treatment afforded them by you and/or their supervisors."