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Residents ask for review after Business Boost 2 awards; mayor and recipient defend program
Summary
Speakers at the public-comment period called for disclosure and independent review of the Business Boost 2 awards, alleging potential conflicts of interest involving the mayor and people connected to her; a recipient and the mayor disputed those claims and said the awards were ARPA pandemic pass-through funds handled by staff.
At the meeting’s public-comment period, Lillian Evans (speaker 15) urged the commission to open a full disclosure and independent review of the Business Boost 2 awards, saying public records indicate about $55,000 was paid to the mayor personally and that businesses connected to the mayor’s family and political allies also received funding.
Evans cited Florida ethics law generally and said the pattern created an appearance of conflict that undermines public trust. "When elected official helps shape, approve, and influence a program and then personally benefits from it, at the very least, it creates appearance of conflict of interest," she said.
Jeremy Fetzer (speaker 9), whose wife received an award cited by Evans, responded during public comment, saying the funds were ARPA federal dollars passed through the Kissimmee government and that staff — not the commission — approved awards. Fetzer said his wife had no political affiliation and that a grant recipient relationship did not create the type of business relationship that, under state statute, would create a conflict. "These are COVID funds, which are federal funds, which were passed through the Kissimmee government," Fetzer said.
Mayor (speaker 1) answered from the dais, defended her family and the distribution process, and invited Evans to a scheduled meeting on the 19th where staff and commissioners will review records. The mayor emphasized that prior votes on the program were unanimous and overseen by a separate board. "I'm more than happy to meet with you or anyone that has questions about those specific funds... we have scheduled a meeting with you personally on the nineteenth," she said.
No formal action was taken at the meeting on the Business Boost 2 allegations; Evans called for public disclosure and an independent review, Fetzer called the comments defamatory, and the mayor offered a private meeting and said she would provide records or explanations as needed.
What to watch: Evans requested full public disclosure and an independent review; the commission did not vote to open an investigation during the meeting but scheduled a private follow-up meeting where records will be discussed.
