PALATKA, Fla. – Palatka’s city manager will head back to work on Wednesday following an investigation into misconduct claims.
On Monday night, the city commission decided Marcia Carty will return to full duty under a 30-day review period. She will also be required to be actively engaged and complete training classes.
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This decision comes nearly a week after commissioners reviewed the initial investigation findings during a nearly three-hour session, where Carty publicly addressed multiple allegations ranging from discriminatory statements to misuse of city resources.
“I really regret that we’re here. It just hurts my heart,” Carty said during last week’s meeting.
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The investigation, which began earlier this year, led to Carty being placed on administrative leave before returning to her position with modified duties. During this period, Police Chief Jason Shaw was appointed as Acting Assistant City Manager, with city employees reporting directly to him.
Key allegations included:
- Making comments about an employee’s ethnic background
- Using city resources for personal matters
- Sharing confidential or sensitive information
“So my response is that’s not true,” Carty said to several of the claims.
Several members of the commission said some of the allegations were minor and could have been resolved, but that other claims may not be curable.
Mayor Robbi Correa expressed concerns about the claim that city workers helped complete personal tasks for Carty.
“I would hope the city manager would know that more than anybody in the city employees. I’m concerned about that. There are a lot of things I’m concerned about,” she said.
During Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Annie Davis said firing Carty would not correct “other items that need to be addressed” in the city.
“We’ve already fired city managers in short succession. And that’s in some instances before completing a year. A third termination under three years would signal, and I agree, chronic instability of our leadership,” Davis said.
Commissioners also voted to eliminate the acting Assistant City Manager position. Chief Shaw will return as police chief.
The city commission will evaluate the city manager post-cure period, using the approved evaluation document provided by human resources that includes an evaluation of the allegations. If after the documented due process, which includes that 30-day cure period, issues persist, the commission will then have both legal justification and public credibility for a later termination, avoiding another hasty and high-cost dismissal.