Levy County votes to terminate county attorney; board asks outside firms to provide interim legal coverage

The Levy County Board of County Commissioners voted to terminate the county attorney’s employment/appointment and to arrange interim legal coverage through outside counsel.

A commissioner moved to terminate the contract/appointment and after discussion the board voted in favor. The county attorney addressed the board before the vote and asked for the same severance terms previously provided to another departing official, saying she had tried to meet individually with commissioners and that her role is a support position focused on legal defensibility. She told the board, "...my job here is a support role. I take that very seriously... I would ask for the same severance agreement that you provided to [another departing official] if you're determining that I'm not the person who you want to be the county attorney."

Board members expressed concern about continuity for upcoming quasi‑judicial hearings and other legal work and moved to contact contracted firms — specifically Neighbors & Gibbons and Robinson & Gray — to expand their scope to cover general legal services for the board while the county completes a transition plan. The chair and staff were asked to prepare contract amendments and to consult on a short transition period to avoid disruption for scheduled hearings and agenda items.

In the motion discussion the board also addressed process and precedent for severance; the county attorney said she was surprised by the action and asked to be treated consistently with prior departures. The board approved outreach to the outside firms and discussed calling a special meeting to take further personnel steps if needed.

The motion passed in the recorded roll call and staff were directed to bring amended contracts and a transition timetable to the board for approval. The board emphasized the immediate need to ensure legal coverage for planning and quasi‑judicial proceedings scheduled in the coming days.