Suwannee County commissioners vote to retake control of emergency management, forward audit to state investigators

Suwannee County commissioners voted Wednesday to reclaim local control of the county’s Emergency Operations Center and to refer an outside audit of EOC grants and finances to state officials and law‑enforcement agencies.

The board approved a motion to give the sheriff 90 days’ written notice to return control of emergency management to county government and separately authorized county staff to provide the Cherry Beckert audit and supporting materials to state lawmakers and investigative agencies. The motions carried on unanimous voice votes recorded as the board action.

The action followed a presentation by Cherry Beckert advisory staff who described two engagement streams — a grants‑management review and a forensic financial review — covering 08/15/2023 through 04/30/2025. Chairman Franklin White framed the decision as a structural remedy to findings he said showed “structural inefficiencies, capacity constraints, and governance weakness.” He told the board: “I believe it is in the best interest of the county and our citizens for the county to retake control of emergency management.”

Cherry Beckert staff told commissioners they found weak or missing written controls for EOC spending and grants oversight, evidence of commingled credit‑card activity with the sheriff’s office, unexplained or duplicate vendor records, and a set of transactions that the auditors flagged for additional forensic testing. Tiffany McCoy, Cherry Beckert’s forensic manager, said the team examined nearly 12,000 transactions totaling about $11.5 million.

Sheriff Sam Saint John told the board his office would cooperate with the transition and any external review. “We stand ready to continue to support and strengthen our emergency management operation in every capacity when we are called to serve,” he said.

Board members also authorized Cherry Beckert to release raw audit materials to requesting investigators, a step the county attorney said was necessary because Cherry Beckert, as a private firm, requires client permission to share source documents.

As next steps the board directed the county administrator to solicit a consultant to help stand up a standalone county EOC department, develop formal policies and procedures, and assist with hiring. Commissioners said the county will use the 90‑day window to plan an interim structure while advertising a permanent emergency‑management director position.

The board’s motions recorded in the meeting packet include: a motion to retake the EOC (mover: Commissioner Land; seconder: Commissioner Mobley; outcome: approved), a motion to execute the 90‑day termination letter to the sheriff (mover: Commissioner Land; seconder: Commissioner Hale; outcome: approved), and a motion to forward the Cherry Beckert audit to state and law‑enforcement authorities (mover: Commissioner Land; seconder: Commissioner Mobley; outcome: approved).

The board emphasized the action is structural and administrative; commissioners and staff repeatedly said further transactional or criminal determinations would rely on additional investigation by outside agencies or on the auditors’ recommended phase‑2 testing.

The board adjourned after a lengthy public‑comment period in which residents, first responders and volunteer coordinators both praised emergency response efforts and pressed for clearer oversight and written policies.

The 90‑day notice begins when the county attorney executes the termination letter; the board also authorized Cherry Beckert to provide raw materials to agencies that request them.