Lynn Haven commission votes to terminate City Manager Vicki Gaynor after contentious public hearing

The Lynn Haven City Commission voted to terminate City Manager Vicki Gaynor after a contentious special meeting that included lengthy public comment, multiple competing motions and legal warnings about pending investigations.

The vote to end Gaynor’s employment was approved by a majority of commissioners following public testimony and commission interviews; Mayor Nelson dissented, and commissioners split on several interim proposals before the final motion passed.

The action follows the commission’s decision earlier in the week to place Gaynor on administrative leave pending review. Supporters of Gaynor said she guided Lynn Haven through post‑Hurricane Michael recovery and improved the city’s finances; critics cited allegations raised in depositions and interviews and urged the commission to take action. Legal counsel warned the commission that the civil litigation and related investigative steps could complicate outcomes and that the civil case likely will not produce a simple "guilty/innocent" finding.

The meeting began with a motion to add an agenda item about how the city would temporarily fill the city manager role if Gaynor were terminated; that agenda addition passed. Commissioners debated several follow‑up proposals during the afternoon and evening session, including motions to return Gaynor to work, to suspend her without pay pending criminal and civil reviews, and to continue paid administrative leave while waiting for an FDLE review. Those alternate motions failed or died for lack of a second before the commission ultimately approved termination.

Public comment was extensive and sharply divided. Dozens of residents, business owners and clergy urged opposite outcomes: some described improvements in parks, sidewalks and city finances during Gaynor’s tenure and urged the commission to retain her; others said interviews and other information obtained by commissioners raised concerns that warranted removal. Several speakers also framed the dispute around race and political influence, and some urged transparency and public‑records disclosure. The mayor and commissioners repeatedly reminded speakers to follow decorum.

Commissioners referenced charter and statutory limits during the discussion. A resident cited “charter section 24” in arguing the commission may designate a qualified person when the city manager is absent; another speaker cited Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution and Chapter 119, Florida Statutes when requesting public records. City legal counsel cautioned that the civil litigation and public disclosures to date could affect the pending lawsuits and that a civil case may end in dismissal, settlement or other resolution rather than a criminal pronouncement.

Commissioners debated operational details for the interim period. During the meeting commissioners said the assistant city manager would serve in an acting capacity during any absence; commissioners also discussed whether the city should cover criminal attorney fees if Gaynor were later found innocent, and whether health insurance and other benefits would continue during any suspension. The commission did not finalize a long‑term implementation plan at the meeting beyond the termination vote.

The commission adjourned after the vote. The FDLE review and the civil litigation remain pending and could affect future actions or litigation against the city. No criminal finding was announced at the meeting, and the commission’s vote reflects a personnel decision by the city’s elected body rather than a judicial determination.

Ending note: With the termination approved, the commission signaled additional process and potential follow‑up actions will be needed to manage day‑to‑day operations and to address outstanding legal and records requests.