Residents and former employees urge fairness for HR director, allege discrimination and hostile work environment

Multiple citizens and former county employees used the Feb. 18 Polk County Board of County Commissioners public‑comment period to raise concerns about the county’s handling of the human resources division and the treatment of its director.

Speakers identified themselves as current or former county employees, community leaders and NAACP representatives and said they were concerned the HR director has been targeted by commissioners and county management. Speakers cited Polk County Charter Section 3.4 (non‑interference by the Board of County Commissioners in day‑to‑day personnel matters) and raised questions about the use of a consultant efficiency study, alleged misstatements about the director, and delays in reclassification actions.

Public commenters and their main points

- Cassandra Richards (Lake Wales resident) said she had petitions supporting traffic calming but also thanked the board; she referenced ongoing roadway issues and development on Highway 60. - Leroy Smith Sr. (resident and retired teacher) said the Florida State Conference NAACP successfully sued Polk County for racial discrimination in employment in 1988 and warned the county against repeating past mistakes; he cited Polk County Charter Section 3.4 and warned against commissioners’ involvement in personnel matters. - Abdul Rahim Al Khatib (lifelong Polk County resident) addressed Commissioner Braswell and asked how many departments had undergone “efficiency studies,” said the charter prohibits commissioner interference in day‑to‑day operations and said he would request a meeting with the county attorney and county manager regarding possible malfeasance. - Janice Sewell (former Polk County human resources organization and talent development manager) said HR divisions had strategic plans and SOPs, said the HR division consists of 22 employees and that reclassifications and disciplinary processes can raise legal issues, and said she had observed “cherry picking” of inefficiencies in a way that omitted HR accomplishments. - Cynthia Downing (Quad City NAACP president) echoed concerns about targeting and said the reports and statements about the HR director were incomplete or incorrect; she urged fairness and equity to all directors. - Daryl Jones (pastor, First Providence Missionary Baptist Church) said he had worked with the HR director for years and urged commissioners to be cautious and equitable in pursuing personnel actions. - Ashley Wusipiti (former county employee) said she was terminated in August and described alleged hostile work conditions and retaliation, said she feared for current employees, and asserted that reclassifications took months to complete and that county staff had experienced intimidation and retaliation.

What the record shows

Speakers repeatedly asked the board to follow the charter’s non‑interference provisions and to avoid singling out or publicly targeting the HR director. Several speakers said the HR division has strategic plans and standard operating procedures and that the county manager’s office had been contacted previously about complaints. A member of the audience asked the county attorney for guidance on Sunshine Law applicability to communications among commissioners.

Board response

The board did not take formal action in response to the public comments during the Feb. 18 meeting. Commissioners acknowledged the comments and in some instances said they had been reviewing the issues; no vote or specific personnel action was recorded during the meeting minutes.

Why it matters

Public comment raised legal and personnel‑policy questions (charter non‑interference, timing of audits and reclassifications, claims of race‑based targeting and hostile work environment). Those issues, if pursued through formal complaints or litigation, could have legal and budgetary implications for the county and affect workplace morale and recruitment in the human resources division.