S1 EP 138: Ocala City Council fires City Manager Sandra Wilson.

The Ocala City Council abruptly fired City Manager Sandra Wilson Tuesday night, at the conclusion of a meeting in which Wilson’s employment status was not listed as an agenda item for the board to consider. Council member Barry Mansfield made the motion to dismiss Wilson, citing a recent report from the city auditor involving a whistleblower complaint. That report looked into two issues involving banking and contract matters but did not find any financial losses to the city nor any evidence that they rose “to the level of “gross management.’’ Council members James Hilty and Kristen Dreyer joined Mansfield in the vote to dismiss Wilson, who has served as city manager since June 2020. Council members Ire Bethea and Jay Musleh dissented, with Musleh saying the issue should be set as an agenda item for a later council meeting. After the vote, Wilson, the first Black person to ever serve in the position, asked to address the council. “I’d like to say I appreciate the opportunities that have been provided to me as a city manager of this awesome city,’’ she said. “It’s been a great experience. I’ve been with the city for 22 years, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s been great working with each of you. I have learned something from each of you. And you know, it’s made me a better person. And I just appreciate every experience that I’ve had here at the city of Ocala. Thank you very much.” The council also voted to name Pete Lee as interim city manager. Lee was appointed an assistant city manager at the end of July 2021 at the bequest of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership. Ken Ausley, a executive board member on the CEP board of directors, had recommended Lee’s appointment to Wilson during a June 22, 2021. Two other members of the CEP board, Doug Cone and Rich Bianculli, walked into council chambers near the end of Tuesday’s meeting and positioned themselves up front just as Mansfield began his motion to dismiss Wilson. During the discussion on Wilson’s fate, Betha said “outside forces” were motivating