PALATKA, Fla. – Palatka’s city manager will remain in her position after the city commissioners voted unanimously for her to keep the role.
Marcia Carty will continue as the city manager after she completed a plan required to outline workplace ethics and leadership standards.
“As it relates to the cure period, I want to say it’s been very enlightening and I have learned a lot a lot a lot,” Carty said. “I haven’t done anything like this where I invested in me. And so therefore, I really appreciate the commissioners for recognizing that there was a need. I loved what I learned.”
She admitted that the situation caused her to “assess” her ways and continued to show appreciation and commitment to being “the best city manager.”
Commissioners required Marcia Carty to complete a 30-day corrective action plan following accusations that she created a hostile work environment, made remarks about an employee’s ethnic background, and used city staff for personal errands.
Carty denied those claims at a special meeting in October.
“So my response is that’s not true,” Carty said to several of the claims.
RELATED | ‘I’ve never disrespected anyone’: Palatka city manager breaks silence after investigation into misconduct claims | Palatka commission to discuss city manager investigation in second special meeting
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.
Nearly a week after the special meeting in October, the city commission decided Carty would return to full duty under a 30-day review period. She was also required to be actively engaged and complete training classes.
On Monday, commissioners reviewed whether Carty followed through on all the steps Human Resources laid out.
That plan included a written warning for having city employees do work at her home.
That plan called for courses on ethics, leadership, employee relations, and hostile workplace prevention, along with a full review of city and state employment policies.
She has also worked with a professional coach during this period. The goal is to ensure accountability and compliance while allowing her to continue serving under close oversight.