Jackson County commissioners vote to end county attorney’s contract, authorize ethics complaint

Jackson County commissioners voted at a special meeting on Sept. 25, 2025, to terminate County Attorney Michelle Jordan’s contract effective immediately and authorized the county’s human-resources office to prepare an ethics complaint for filing with the Florida Bar.

The vote followed a statement read on behalf of Chairman Westbrook alleging Jordan had taken positions directly adverse to the county and created an "unwivable" conflict under the Florida rules of professional conduct. Susan Gainey, an attorney retained by the county’s insurer, the Florida League of Cities, told the commission that circumstances developing "in the last week or two" made immediate attention necessary and that the notice used to call the special meeting satisfied the county’s notice requirements. Dr. Spires, who said he was recovering from COVID, questioned whether the meeting had been properly noticed and recused himself from participation.

During public comment, Shana Thorpe asked whether Jordan’s reports were within the scope of her county duties and whether an ethics filing had been made; Gainey said she had been retained after Jordan submitted a written claim and described a formal claim dated Sept. 25 and a more recent whistleblower complaint that Gainey said she had denied. Jordan, speaking during the meeting, said she had sought an independent investigation beginning in September and said she had not filed suit against the county but had requested outside counsel to investigate matters she could not pursue herself.

Commissioner Westbrook moved to terminate Jordan’s contract immediately, with language in the motion proposing payment equivalent to a short period of pay as transition; another commissioner seconded the motion. Board members discussed the contract’s 90-day transition clause and whether Jordan should be allowed to serve that period or be removed immediately. The board proceeded with a voice vote and the chair announced the motion carried; the meeting record shows that the board directed that Jordan’s contract stop immediately.

The commission then moved to authorize a complaint to the Florida Bar (the board referred to filing "a complaint against Ms. Jordan with the Florida Board pursuant to the Florida rules of professional conduct"). The board authorized Human Resources risk manager Sarason to prepare the complaint for Chairman Westbrook’s review and signature. A public commenter urged caution, saying filing a bar complaint while civil litigation is pending could be perceived as a tactical advantage; Gainey and the board said an ethics complaint may be filed irrespective of pending civil actions. The chair announced the motion to prepare the complaint carried with a tally recorded as "3-0-1."

Members of the public asked how to obtain copies of Jordan’s memorandum and other materials; staff said members of the public may submit public-records requests and offered to provide the statement that had been read. Several speakers, including Reverend Ron Martin and Victoria Scofield, spoke in Jordan’s defense, praising her prior work and expressing concern about process and public perception.

The board did not address in detail at the meeting the specific factual allegations in Jordan’s pleadings; Gainey repeatedly said such matters "will be litigated in a court of law" and advised commissioners not to comment publicly because litigation was anticipated. The meeting concluded after additional public remarks and administrative follow-ups about public-records requests.

What happens next: Human Resources was authorized to draft the ethics complaint for the chairman to sign; the record indicates the county expects litigation and that procedural questions about records requests will be handled per legal advice.