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Longwood appoints Leanne Carnina as city clerk; commission revises performance-evaluation language
Summary
The City Commission appointed Leanne Carnina as city clerk and approved an employment agreement that clarifies at-will status, standard benefits, severance, and an annual evaluation requirement (within ~45 days after fiscal year end, unless waived by vote).
The Longwood City Commission on Oct. 6 approved the appointment of Leanne Carnina as city clerk and adopted an employment agreement that sets salary, benefits and standard indemnification and severance provisions.
City attorney (presenting the agreement) said the contract establishes an at-will appointment under the charter, incorporates city benefits, and contains severance compensation consistent with the prior clerk’s agreement. Commissioners discussed a paragraph that allows flexibility in daily in-office schedules and expressed concern that it could be interpreted to allow excessive absenteeism. The attorney said the language mirrors provisions in other executive contracts and that the position ‘‘is an employment at will’’ while adding that the clerk’s role sometimes requires work outside a strict 9-to-5 schedule.
Commissioner discussion also focused on the contract’s annual performance-evaluation language. Commissioner McMillan proposed strengthening the process so evaluations occur yearly; the commission agreed to edit section 4(a) so that "annually, approximately within 45 days from the end of each city fiscal year, the city commission shall evaluate the performance of the employee for the previous fiscal year and define goals and performance objectives for the upcoming year, unless waived by a vote of the city commission." City attorney said staff would restate the sentence as suggested, and the commission approved the appointment and agreement by roll call vote (unanimous).
Leanne Carnina was sworn in following the vote and commissioners welcomed her to the city staff. The contract allows the commission to exercise oversight through annual reviews and retains the at-will employment relationship while providing for standard city benefits and severance consistent with prior practice.
Next steps: staff will finalize the edited contract language as described on the record and proceed with personnel onboarding and administrative formalities.
(Reporting note: contract terms described here reflect staff and attorney statements made during the Oct. 6 meeting; the final written agreement will contain the precise language adopted by the commission.)
