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Orange Park hires outside firm for employee complaints; council forms policy review committee
Summary
The council approved a contract (4-1) with an outside firm to handle employee-investigation work and voted to form a special council committee to review town policies, standing rules and procedures. The contract is for $18,000 and the committee will be chaired by the vice mayor.
The Town of Orange Park on Jan. 7 approved contracting with an outside law firm to perform investigations of employee complaints and grievances, and council also formed a special committee to review town policies, procedures and codes.
Town Attorney Courtney told council that the town needs a neutral third party for personnel investigations because of confidentiality, conflict‑of‑interest risks and the possibility that the town attorney could be conflicted out of future litigation if the attorney both investigated and later defended the town in court. Courtney presented a scope of services and the name and rate sheet of a firm used previously for similar work. The town attorney recommended a one‑year engagement at an initial not‑to‑exceed fee of $18,000 to provide intake, investigation, report and recommendations.
Council voted 4-1 to approve the contract in the amount cited on the record. One council member voted no but did not elaborate on the record beyond stating an objection to the contract.
Council also voted to create a special committee of council members to undertake a comprehensive review of town policies, procurement rules, finance procedures, personnel policies, boards and committees guidance, standing rules and other governance matters. The committee charge lists potential topic areas and provides staff support from the town attorney, town manager and relevant department heads. Vice Mayor Sandlin agreed to serve as committee chair; two other council members volunteered to serve on the committee. Council approved formation of the committee by a 4-1 vote.
Town Attorney Courtney said the outside firm would address current complaints in the queue and provide independent investigative reports, while the new committee would work on longer‑term policy updates so the town can handle more matters internally over time.
What council approved - Contract with outside law firm to perform employee complaint intake and investigations, $18,000 initial authorization; vote: 4-1. (Firm name and scope as presented in meeting materials.) - Formation of a special council committee to review town policies and procedures; vice mayor to chair; committee membership to be three councilmembers with staff support; vote: 4-1.
Speakers quoted include the town attorney (Courtney), council members and the town manager.
