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Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council members considered suspending Executive Director Ken Heatherington at an emergency executive committee meeting Thursday afternoon. But his job is still not safe, and he could be fired by the end of the month.
Council Chairman and Marco Island Councilman Chuck Keister called the meeting, and issued an email about the subject only two hours prior. Keister recommended the suspension following a public outcry that ensued after Heatherington terminated three staff members because of budget cuts and put another on administrative leave for violating department policies. Three of the four are planners: David Crawford, Jason Utley and Dan Trescott. Trescott is accused of the policy violations.
The controversy evolved from a decision by Heatherington to move forward with the layoffs that were to be effective at the end of June, rather than present alternatives to Keister and the council first.
City of Sanibel Vice Mayor Mick Denham also pushed for the suspension, telling Heatherington, “What you appeared to have done is thumb your nose at the council.”
In the end, the council voted 3-1, with only Keister dissenting, to discuss alternatives to addressing a $250,000 cut to the department's budget at the June 30 meeting of the full 40-member council. Heatherington also agreed to Denham's request, to reinstate the four staff members for now, though that was not part of the formal motion.
A budget and finance committee meeting is scheduled for June 29. But following the vote, Lee County Commissioner Brian Bigelow put Heatherington on notice. Bigelow suggested Heatherington be prepared to resign on June 30, saying: “I will lead the charge to seek termination.”
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