- March 27, 2024
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Pat Bean's 33-year government career came to an end Wednesday when the Hillsborough County Commission voted 6-1 to fire its county administrator.
Bean had been on a 90-day leave along with County Attorney Renee Lee while allegations of unauthorized pay raises given by Bean and related email issues were being investigated. Lee was reinstated in a 5-2 vote of commissioners after determining that Lee only had a peripheral role tied to the email controversy.
By firing Bean for cause, she will not be eligible to collect $455,000 in severance. However, she will collect $191,737 in unused vacation and sick time plus a $391,042 lump-sum pension payment unrelated to her contract. Bean had served as administrator since 2003.
The commission also voted to name acting County Administrator Mike Merrill as interim administrator for an unspecified time.