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Home My WebLink About01-12-2026 WS Minutes C ITY C OMMISSION M INUTES J ANUARY 12, 2026 W ORK S ESSION ________________________________________________________________________ The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work Session st on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 4:00 PM, at the City Commission Chambers, 1 Floor, Sanford City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida. Present: Mayor Art Woodruff Commissioner Claudia Thomas Commissioner Patrick Austin Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr. Commissioner Sheena Britton City Attorney Lindsey N. Greene City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr. City Clerk Traci Houchin Deputy City Clerk Shanna Posey Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 4:08 PM. 1. Update re: William Clark Court Assistant City Manager Craig Radzak provided an update regarding the William Clark Court property acquisition, explaining that the item involved a fifth amendment to extend the purchase contract for an additional six months. The delay was attributed to pending HUD disposition approval. Staff confirmed acquisition funding was secured and that coordination with the Sanford Housing Authority and federal representatives was ongoing. Introduction of Communications Intern Communications Manager Lisa Holder introduced Rolando Bailey, a paid communications intern from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. Bailey addressed C ITY C OMMISSION M INUTES J ANUARY 12, 2026 W ORK S ESSION ________________________________________________________________________ the Commission and shared his educational background and interest in public service. Commissioners welcomed Mr. Bailey and expressed appreciation for his commitment. 2. Discussion re: City Manager 2026 Goals and Evaluation The Commission engaged in extensive discussion regarding the City Manager evaluation process, including concerns regarding reliance on numeric scoring and the desire for clearer prompts and fewer evaluation categories. Commissioners emphasized that any changes should be researched and implemented in a manner consistent with the City Charter and employment agreements. Commissioner Thomas will take the lead on the project to revamp the Evaluation form(s). The Commission also discussed potential 2026 goals, including infrastructure planning, wastewater and stormwater improvements, permitting efficiency, technology and digital process improvements, communications protocols, grant opportunities, and redevelopment initiatives. Commissioners stressed the importance of realistic timelines and requested that, following consolidation of goals, the City Manager provide a strategic implementation timeline. 3. Regular Meeting Items additional information Update from Utilities Director Brynt Johnson regarding the Del-Air Settlement. Utilities Director Brynt Johnson stated the lawsuit stemming from a 2024 Installation incident has been settled. City Attorney Lindsay Greene assisted in the settlement, as well as making recommendations regarding gaps in training for staff, in areas such as purchasing, etc. C ITY C OMMISSION M INUTES J ANUARY 12, 2026 W ORK S ESSION ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Briefing Items Sanford Chief of Police Cecil Smith provided a formal update to the City Commission regarding an ongoing criminal investigation involving former Police Department employee Investigator Ronnie Neal. The Chief advised that, due to the active nature of the investigation, certain details could not be disclosed in a public forum. The Chief outlined a chronological timeline of events. Investigator Neal was employed with the Police Department from 2003 until December 2025. Between October 2023 and July 2024, Investigator Neal submitted 79 off-duty detail entries for work purportedly performed at the Loft of Eaton property located on Reinhart Road. unpaid vendor accounts associated with off-duty police details. During this process, Investigator Neal was requested to provide invoices and documentation necessary to reconcile outstanding accounts. In August 2025, Police Administration was formally notified that the accounts remained unresolved and that required documentation had not been produced. Police Administration implemented a plan and timeline directing Investigator Neal, who was solely responsible for off-duty detail coordination, to provide all outstanding information. A follow-up meeting occurred in October 2025, at which time some accounts were reconciled; however, several discrepancies remained. A final deadline of November 25, 2025, was established for completion of all outstanding documentation. C ITY C OMMISSION M INUTES J ANUARY 12, 2026 W ORK S ESSION ________________________________________________________________________ On November 25, 2025, Police Administration was notified by Finance that discrepancies remained unresolved. At that point, the matter was determined to potentially involve criminal conduct, and a criminal investigation was initiated. Between December 1 and Between December 9 and December 15, 2025, he was placed on administrative leave. During the investigation, additional information was reviewed in coordination with United States Secret Service, due to the volume of information, financial transactions involved, and the locations of related funds. The investigation revealed that The Lofts of Eden property had never utilized off-duty police details or overtime services, despite the submitted timesheets. The Chief advised that the City of Sanford had paid Investigator Neal through payroll during the period in question based on submitted timesheets. On December 16, 2025, based on information obtained through the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued. Investigator Neal submitted a letter of resignation during the investigative process. The Chief reported that 79 counts of official misconduct and one count of organized fraud had been filed. The organized fraud charge was based on the determination that Investigator Neal was the sole individual responsible for preparing timesheets, creating detail entries, and managing associated documentation. The investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of additional victims and additional charges. C ITY C OMMISSION M INUTES J ANUARY 12, 2026 W ORK S ESSION ________________________________________________________________________ The Chief advised that a forensic accounting review is currently underway, involving the Finance Department with assistance from FDLE, to reconcile off-duty detail payments, vendor invoices, and payroll records. The investigation remains active, and additional findings may result. The Chief acknowledged that the case revealed internal control deficiencies within the Police Department, including failures in timesheet review, approval, and payroll processing. He accepted responsibility as department head and stated that corrective actions have been implemented. Corrective measures already in place include assigning oversight of off-duty details to both a sergeant and lieutenant, transferring responsibility for invoicing and payment collection to the Finance Department, and requiring officers to electronically check in and out of off-duty details using a GPS-based system. Updated policies now require supervisory approval and documentation for all timesheets and any post-submission adjustments. The Chief further advised that the Department is reviewing the use of third-party vendors to manage off-duty details, invoicing, and payments, as well as evaluating updates to payroll and timesheet systems to allow for electronic submission with immediate supervisory approval. The Chief explained that Investigator Neal had served as the primary off-duty detail coordinator for approximately 10 to 12 years, held exclusive access to the system, and occupied a position of significant trust. Police Administration was not aware of missing C ITY C OMMISSION M INUTES J ANUARY 12, 2026 W ORK S ESSION ________________________________________________________________________ funds until August 2025, at which time Finance was granted full access to the off-duty detail system. Commissioners raised questions regarding internal safeguards and how unpaid invoices were able to persist without earlier detection. The City Manager clarified for the record that administration of off-duty details was handled solely within the Police Department and not by the Finance Department. Commissioners also acknowledged that the matter remains allegations pending final adjudication. The Chief reiterated that the investigation is ongoing, that transparency remains a priority, and that safeguards have been implemented to prevent recurrence. He offered to meet individually with Commissioners outside of a public forum to discuss the matter further, subject to legal limitations. 5. 2026 Mayors Board Appointments Mayor Woodruff appointed Commissioner Kerry Wiggins as Vice-Mayor, as well 6. City Clerk Evaluation requested Finance to advise him of the salary adjustment and stated they would vote for acceptance/ approval at the regular meeting. 7. City Manager Comments The City Manager thanked the Commission and reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaborative governance. C ITY C OMMISSION M INUTES J ANUARY 12, 2026 W ORK S ESSION ________________________________________________________________________ There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:14 PM ___________________________________ Mayor Art Woodruff Attest: __________________________________ City Clerk (SP)