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Council censures Mayor Norris and asks governor to consider removal after disputes over appointment legal advice and public conduct
Summary
Following a months‑long dispute over the legality of a council appointment and public exchanges, the Palm Coast City Council voted 4-1 to censure Mayor Michael Norris and requested that the governor consider removal; the council cited prior legal advice and concerns about the mayor's conduct and cost to taxpayers.
The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday voted 4‑1 to censure Mayor Michael Norris and asked each member to sign a letter to the governor formally requesting consideration of removal, after months of dispute over the mayor’s conduct and a lawsuit he filed challenging a previous appointment.
Council discussion centered on whether the mayor had previously been advised by city attorneys that he lacked standing and that a lawsuit would be without merit. Attorney Jeremiah Blocker provided a written memo to the council summarizing multiple written and oral advisories to the mayor that, according to the memo, advised the mayor against litigation and stated the council had followed the city charter. Council members said the mayor nonetheless proceeded with a lawsuit that required the city to defend itself; the judge later found the council had acted within the charter.
During the meeting, opponents and supporters of the mayor spoke in public comment. Several council members and members of the public criticized the mayor’s public statements on local radio and social media and said one post had included a phone number; the mayor said he corrected an error when it occurred and disputed some characterizations of his actions. Council members said the pattern of behavior — including alleged intimidation of staff and misrepresentations about the prior legal advice — merited formal condemnation. Councilmember Sullivan moved that the council censure the mayor and request the governor consider removal; councilmember Gambaro seconded and the motion passed 4‑1.
Council members noted that the Florida ethics process and other legal avenues were also in progress; the council indicated they would continue cooperating with any official investigations. The mayor opposed the motion and said he would continue to perform his duties; he also said he would not resign.
Why it matters: A municipal censure is a formal public rebuke of an elected official and is an uncommon action between council members. Asking the governor to consider removal escalates the political dispute to the state level and reflects deep divisions on the dais; it also follows litigation that the council said consumed city resources.
