Hardee County firefighters present vote of no confidence in Fire Chief Casey Dasher
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Summary
The president of IAFF Local 3471 told the BOCC that 28 of 31 line firefighters signed a vote of no confidence in Fire Chief Casey Dasher, citing leadership, transparency and hostile-work-environment concerns; the county attorney advised the board personnel actions must go through the county manager.
Joshua Ecksendine, president of the Hardee County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 3471, told the Board of County Commissioners during public comment that the union conducted a vote of no confidence in Fire Chief Casey Dasher and that 28 of the department’s 31 line staff signed the measure.
“This vote is strictly about leadership, integrity and the character and leadership skills necessary to lead a public safety organization,” Ecksendine said, listing member-reported problems including inconsistent communication, alleged dishonesty, employee targeting and a hostile working environment. He asked the board to place review of the survey results on the BOCC’s next meeting agenda so the board could evaluate concerns and, if appropriate, direct the county manager to act.
County Attorney advised commissioners that directing the manager to hire or fire a named employee would exceed the board’s authority. “This board would actually be in violation of state law if they were to direct the manager to terminate an employee,” the county attorney said, recommending the matter remain with the county manager and that the board request a follow-up report.
Commissioners said they took the union’s presentation seriously but emphasized legal limits on discussing individual personnel matters in open session. Several commissioners urged that the county manager and county attorney examine the union survey and the county’s earlier survey results and return to the board with options and next steps. The county manager said staff are working with outside consultants on leadership training and plans to follow up with the fire department.
The board did not take formal action on personnel at the meeting. Instead, members directed staff to review the available survey results and report back; the county attorney reiterated that any personnel decisions would be handled through the county manager’s office in accordance with state law.
Next step: the BOCC asked staff to return with a report and potential options at a future meeting so commissioners could consider nonpublic and public steps consistent with law and county policy.