County Administrator Heidi Petito barely survived an attempt by Commissioner Kim Carney to fire her Monday night before an empty chamber, at the very end of a meeting that had stretched past the three-hour mark, and in an off-agenda maneuver fellow-Commissioner Andy Dance said was improper.
Carney’s motion, taking place literally at the commission’s 11th hour of a pair of meetings that had started at 9 this morning, didn’t get a second, so there was no vote. Had there been one, it would have been 3-2 against, with Commission Chair Leann Pennington joining Dance and Commissioner Greg Hansen to oppose it despite Pennington’s numerous misgivings about Petito.
If the administrator survived, she did so without the majority’s confidence: even Pennington is not happy with her in her current role. But this was not the time nor the manner Pennington wanted her fired, especially without a succession plan or an explicit way for Petito to remain in the organization.
Petito was among the few people in the room. She remained stoically silent throughout.
“I’m open to it,” Pennington said of removing Petito. “I just want there to be a role for Ms. Petito in the organization.” If anything, Pennington, at times through tears, detailed more clearly why Petito should be removed than Carney, who fumbled when Hansen asked her for specific examples about Petito’s failings. Pennington described how the leadership culture had to change, the commission’s “decision constipation” ended and “core functions” addressed, and enumerated other frustrations.
“I am actually going to make a motion to terminate her agreement and contract with our county,” Carney had said moments earlier. “I can’t continue to work at my level, feeling the way I do and being treated the way I’m treated.” She referred to the evaluation of Petito, telling her colleagues to support her if their evaluations echoed hers. Pennington’s and Richardson’s evaluations did. But only Richardson appeared to support her, if also stopping short of a second.
Dance was made livid by the motion, saying the commission couldn’t act on it since it hadn’t been placed on the agenda, according to commission policy. Carney disagreed. (She could get two colleagues to agree to place it on the agenda for a motion, though Carney did not take that route.)
“You need support. And it’s bad faith, and it lacks transparency,” an unusually blunt Dance told Carney, who asked why.
“Because it does. On its face. It lacks–when nobody’s in attendance and nobody knows about it, it lacks transparency,” Dance said. Carney had on occasion carried out similar late-meeting, non-agenda maneuvers when she was a city commissioner in Flagler Beach.
Carney stood by her motion. She said she wasn’t interested in throwing Petito out of the administration, either, but she wasn’t sure what position she could fill. “We can’t make something happen that isn’t that isn’t happening,” Carney said. “We’ve all set our peace. I’m not going to change my position because I’ve gotten a couple of news articles, because that was one of my biggest complaints, was, if I didn’t have negative press, I’d have no press. So we immediately get Julie, we get ribbon cuttings. That’s not what a commissioner does. A Commissioner impacts the community they serve. So I want, I want positive community interaction. I just, it’s not happening. It’s just not happening.”
References to Jorge Salinas, the deputy county administrator who died with his wife in an October car crash, added an undercurrent of grief and led Dance at the very end of the meeting to call for compassion, an allusion to the grave loss Petito was still working through. By then it was clear that Carney’s motion was not getting support. But Pennington’s studied guardrails, not grief, made the difference.
Carney’s motion still was an injurious salvo that will make it even more difficult for the administrator to lead through this much pointed discontent: “I was not treated by the administrator the way I would hope I would be, too many times,” Richardson said, calling the review process that evaluated the administrator “deplorable.” She said there was no “on-boarding” when she arrived at the commission, she vaguely claimed to have been “insulted” in one meeting, without elaborating, and she cited preferential treatment and other issues that have made her uncomfortable. “I’m very disturbed about all the things,” she said, somehow managing after a longer screed of velvet bitters to conclude: “I hope we can resolve everything in a positive manner. That’s all I’m looking for, is a healthy environment for us to work in.”
But it was Pennington who defined the moment. “I don’t think there is a succession plan for change, and I don’t think that there is reason to let Miss Petito go from the county without finding her meaningful position here,” she said, even as she summed up an administration in paralysis: “We can’t make decisions up here anymore. Everyone’s spinning in wheels. She’s gotten to a point now because of way we’ve done our yearend [reviews], and just how unhappy in general some of us are, that she’s afraid to make recommendations because we’re not going to–if we’re going to react to her recommendations, because they’re not going to be what we want.”
Cya says
This whole thing felt shady. Trying to fire Heidi Petito at the end of a long meeting, basically off the cuff and when hardly anyone is there, isn’t transparent or fair.
If some commissioners think she’s not doing the job, then put it on the agenda, say exactly what the issues are, and have the conversation in the open with the public paying attention. Don’t do it as a last-minute ambush.
Whether you like her or not, she’s been keeping the county running through a messy situation, and she deserves a professional, public process not politics and rumors.
Good grief says
You can’t govern, so why are you in office? Petito doesn’t make these decisions, you do.
celia says
You are wrong, Petitto is the one omen that makes decisions and also totally ignore the pleads of the taxpayers residents and Carney is correct she does not responds to her and looks like to any of the three women on the board. Pettito only works with Hansen and Dance that defended her . Pennington as chair totally failed us the taxpayers, always pleading for what we need and never cared or granted, while didn’t second Carney’s motion? Ditto Richardson while complained of the same as Carney, if so why didn’t she second the motion either. Big disappointment too. Dance laughable saying the input needed in a public meeting from us..? Dance saying that transparency is necessary and us the public opinion needed, while he ignores our pleads while laughing over and over in FCBOCC meetings? This motion should have passed and better take it up again before the big rezoning asked by a local developer in Seminole Woods is being groomed by county staff to convince the Board for a yes to really crucify Palm Coast when they will ask to annex. Then we Palmcoasters end up paying for their utility and other services costly expansion via higher fees and or taxes . Pennington demanding that Pettito still to stay in the county payroll? Ridiculous Mrs. Pennington what is wrong with you? You are too worry before the fact about the ad valorem wipe out…Address such issues when happen and not before. Like Carney said our commissioners should not just be seating pretty to collect a check as is the appearance and the potential action of the electorate in 2026, should not be moving any of our elected in question, to tears. Yes we need change and Carney is right!
Taxpayer says
Wow, Pennington needs to go, as well as Andy dance…. His wife works for petito, Pennington is a liar…. Petito needs to go and Pennington said that on several occasions… now she want return emails or texts… Flagler County is truly a good old boy county…. Can’t wait to get to the polls….
just wait for it says
Pennington campaigned 4 years ago she was going to get rid of Heidi and clean up the good old boys. Little did anyone know Pennington and Dance are really good friends, as Taxpayer stated his wife works for Heidi. Pennington is also good friends with the Emergency Management Director, that is why she saved his wife job, adult day care from closing. Commissioners voted to close it at the end of the fiscal year 9/30/25, Pennington had Heidi put the funding back in the budget. Which cost tax pays $500k per year so his wife can have a job.
Pennington would never fire Heidi. look what happen, every director is now getting there own building at tax payers expense. Heidi did this for loyalty, so she could do whatever she wanted and no one would say anything because they all get a building.
Now Pennington is trying to get her other friend Theresa Pontieri on the County Commission, don’t fall for it.
Heidi will get her friend Lauren Johnston a cushy job once she doesn’t fit into the City of Palm Coast anymore. Just like Heidi got her friends son the HR Director position.
Someone needs to run against Pennington, taxpayers cant take another four years of her liars.
JimboXYZ says
A play right out of Alfin’s playbook for similar ? Flagler County must be one toxic political mine field to navigate for a career.
https://flaglerlive.com/bevan-fired/
celia says
Kim Carney courage should be recognized. I know she has been right since requested that Petitto send Albanese back to be the librarian, as she was promoted to assistant county manager..? and we taxpayers all paying for the promotion. How many assistants Pettito needed? The goof up with the food truck doing business ocean front in Marineland that had the state summons the county to cease and desist the revenue based business without prior permission, in acquired preservation land. The push for county wide taxation to preserve and repair after storms, mostly quasi private ocean front beaches with no public access for miles! The millions for a Nexus library while trying to cut down or close initially our only Palm Coast library, unsuccessfully proposed by her side kick Ms. Albanese. Her obvious and unwabering support for the activities inside the training field KFIN Executive Airport totally ignoring and oblivious to pleads of Palmcoasters affected by over 500 daily dangerous touch and goes and toxic rounds over our community, hospital and school.
14 says
How to you expect the county to pay for post storm repairs? They pumped sand at Flagler pier last I recall that wasn’t private land. If you want beaches the money needs to come from somewhere. The nexus center is new and offers more than the Pam coast library what’s the big deal?
And the commissioners vote to approve all of this. They are the ones that make the decisions. They voted for those items you mention. Maybe research is needed on the voting of said commissioners.
Jay tomm says
Wow….Another PC resident that is simple mad they don’t get what THEY WANT. LOL You chose to live near the airport, you had THAT CHOICE. Nexus was funded 90% by grant money & all the tech included. The PC library was NEVER going to close…LOL. Marineland was the failure of some husband & wife nonsense & bad management. Nothing to do with the county!
Albanese back to be the librarian…THAT I agree with. She should never have been promoted & then had dual roles. A fact I think should be universal in government. No ONE gets dual jobs. 1 is hard enough.
Gina says
The communities surrounding the airport never had any PROPER PUBLIC
NOTICE, PROPER PUBLIC ADDRESS, NOR PROPER PUBLIC INPUT when
the FCBOCC INVITED THE FLIGHT SCHOOLS IN at a LATE NIGHT FCBOCC MEETING
THAT WAS RUBBER STAMPED UNDER A BUNCH OF NUMEROUS AGENDA ITEMS!
The airport flight schools need to be better regulated by the county, the county administrator
and the airport director who all failed to do so. There are also other communities who are
affected with noise and leaded fuel pollution who are not close to the airport who are also
making complaints.
FedUp says
Just like Palm Coast politics, a complete joke.
Taxpayer says
Pennington claims to be a Christian, well she is proving to us that is a lie. Who does she think she is? She is the one that needs to be fired. Us taxpayers need to put our money in someone who is professional and honest, Pennington isn’t cutting it. She is not an asset to Flagler County.
Eyes wide open… says
We really thought Pennington was going to be a “bulldog” when she came in and stand by all the promises she made. She turned out to be THE WEAKEST LINK! She’s fake, a liar and I will vote for ANYONE who runs against her!
Just do it! says
Just wondering…if Heidi goes, can she take all the directors she hired that were unqualified too?
I know if my end of the year looked like that, I’d be fired. Someone tell me why this is taking so long?!!
Will Gordon says
The situation surrounding the attempted firing of County Administrator Heidi Petito is a perfect example of how unfair decision‑making and unprofessional behavior have taken hold in our county government. The three female commissioners driving this chaos have repeatedly refused to meet with administration, choosing instead to bypass proper channels and go directly to staff. When tasks fall through the cracks, it’s because administration isn’t even aware of what these commissioners have privately directed staff to do.
This pattern has now escalated into a clear Sunshine Law issue. Commissioner Pennington’s recent intervention in a legislative request, done single‑handedly, without public discussion or board approval, speaks for itself. Anyone can request the emails and see exactly how this unfolded. Transparency clearly isn’t the priority; controlling the narrative is.
It’s no surprise these commissioners want a full‑time PR firm to polish their image. When you can’t perform the job, blaming others becomes the default strategy. That’s not leadership, it’s avoidance.
And now we’re seeing Pennington resort to an AI‑generated likeness of herself in campaign materials, as if a digital version will earn more trust than her actual record. It’s embarrassing and frankly insulting to voters.
Flagler County doesn’t have an administration problem. It has a leadership problem and the solution won’t come from firing competent staff. It will come from the ballot box. If residents want accountability, professionalism, and respect for the law, then the change must happen in 2026. At this point, many voters are ready for any alternative to Pennington.
14 says
What am I kissing here besides petty mean girls high school antics? Commission Carney, are you talking about on needing more positive articles? I follow the county’s social channels religiously. It is a great resource for information. I rarely see anything negative there. It is informative. If the information is not ideal then that is on you, as a commissioner, to change. Ms. Petito cannot control the output of the legislative actions you all take. She is simply taking that information and informing the public.
It appears that you like to do things in secret. This issue has been in the press since Flagler Live’s article in December. I’m struggling to understand how you didn’t have time to put it on an agenda. Are you the one that shut down comments during the Facebook live feed? Side note the live feed was a fantastic idea (except for the lack of comment capability). Why don’t hide behind the vail? Are you too busy with your personal business? If so maybe the people should be looking for you resignation as you are not totally committed to the populace. I wonder what else you may be hiding? Someone should pull your documents, texts, and receipts. Where there is smoke there is fire.
Seems to me you want to go to ribbon cuttings and not do any real work. What’s the plan for all of the adults needing care now that you shut that down? Or did this childish hunt prevent any sort of remediation plan for those citizens?
I wish I lived in your district to get you out.
Jay Tomm says
It’s the golden girls! They were elected because the others were worse, they want to push their own agenda like all politicians!. County will die! Get ready for another Orange county!
Listenup says
The problem needs to be gone in a workplace. Maybe if she goes ALL her buddies in management will follow. They’re quick to cut the workers below to save their asses and jobs. Let her go and figure out a good succession plan moving forward. Now they are bringing up more cuts to staff this year. What a joke. They all should be ashamed.
Taxpayer says
Pennington is up for reelection this year, unfortunately Andy Dance isn’t… Pennington needs to go, first chance we get Andy should be out as well… Both are liers, They both said on several occasions that hydie needs to go… and that they cleanup all the nepotism with in the county, and the only thing they have done, was made the click stronger, especially in road and bridge…,
Ed P says
Everyone should watch the last 20 minutes of last night’s commission meeting on you tube.
Cringe worthy comes to mind.
To address the need for more revenue. To “dig ditches and pave roads”
One suggestion is to demand the county tax collector move off the honor system of collecting short term vacation rental taxes. All rental platforms already provide multiple counties throughout Florida and the United States the benefit of collecting and remitting all taxes, even local tourists taxes with concise reporting.
It will capture revenues from the non-registered evaders as well as any “under” reporting of days rented or actual rental fees and total taxes collected.
The revenue being lost might be substantial. Why not utilize all the tools available?
Time to act like Commissioners says
Ed P,
Your first comment about the last 20 minutes of the meeting was accurate, and shocking. I have never sat through a public meeting where the Chairman lost all control and cried through the last 20 minutes. Perhaps you need a break, as you clearly demonstrated last night.
How does a commission function normally and then suddenly with the election of two new members, it does not? Ms. Carney, stop blaming Ms. Petito for your own rudeness. She is not your Secretary, she is our County Administrator, a position more valuable to us all than yours. Ms. Richardson, you mentioned last night that you were meeting with all the County staff. Why? That is not your job. Perhaps if you and Ms. Carney stopped trying to function outside your own job description, things might go back to running smoothly here?
It seems to many watching that it is not Ms. Petito who needs to be replaced. Our two new commissioners don’t seem to understand what their boundaries are. If you are not doing your jobs correctly, that is not Ms. Petito’s fault.
We have a crisis on our hands now. Who is going to tell these two new commissioners to butt out of administrative business? You were expected to know how to function when you ran. Stop blaming your shortcomings on Ms. Petito who is quite busy doing her own job.
Ms. Pennington, you had no problem acting as a commissioner during the last commission, so what’s changed? All three have an obligation to get it together or step down. The only problem I am seeing is the clear inability of Ms, Carney to work well with others. She is rude, and condescending. I feel for any staff forced to work with this. At some point you have to take responsibility for your own behavior.
celia says
Because to the contrary of your statement our 3 ladies are barred from a say or data, while representing their constituents is why discontent and a feeling of our taxes invested instead to benefit those that need it less. Example those using a new terminal in an airport that does not serve the community at large or a Nexus Center masqueraded as a library with ballrooms for rent to compete with Palm Coast Community Center. Meanwhile our taxes are denied to those elderly ADA, or affected by Dementia or Alzheimers or physical impediments. Maybe ADA should be contacted regarding this county or cities for the denial of these services and as well of the two public owned pools needed for the health service our taxes should be paying for instead to the most vulnerable in our community.
14 says
All of these issues are on the commission not the administration.
They vote to approve or deny.
Anonymous says
Heidi Petito should be fired because of her incompetence as a leader and her cruelty towards her staff. The only thing Heidi cares about is saving her butt and keeping her job. She doesn’t care about the county nor do the commissioners. They’re only for their agenda and not the agenda of Flagler County. If this county wants to see better leadership and legislature that actually helps the general public they need to fire Heidi and find better commissioners who care more about supporting the community instead of putting more money in their pockets and abusing their power!
Time to act like commissioners says
@Anonymous,
“More money in their pockets?” Would you explain that, please?
Confused citizen says
How exactly do you know she is cruel to the staff? How can that be determined from public information?
Is this post from someone in the know? If so…sunshine law.
Disgusted says
The meeting that took place the other night is indicative of everything that is completely wrong with this city. The reprehensible way in which they spoke about Miss Petito was shocking and cringe worthy and completely over the top. Even if you disagree with the way, she has performed in her duties. It doesn’t excuse the disrespectful manner in which she Ms Pettito is being treated. It was a replay of mean girls with commission Carney as the Ringleader!! There’s a right way to handle things and this was not it. In fact, it says way more about you three than it ever did about Heidi Petito. We have all had a front row seat to the ridiculous antics and fighting that have been going on for years in this county. And on full display through the meetings. In short, your problems did not start with Heidi Petito and they will not end with her departure either ! Look inwards like in the mirror, you all could use a few lessons in Grace. Sickening!!
Miriam Goldstein says
As a Jewish woman, I believe accountability means doing hard things in daylight: place it on the agenda, state specific facts, and present a clear plan. Vague complaints raised at the end of a long meeting undermine public trust and make county leadership look unprofessional. I’ll be paying close attention and voting accordingly going forward. I’ve lost confidence in Pam Richardson, Kim Carney, and Leann Pennington.
Crazy says
Commissioner Carney: if you truly believe termination is warranted, do your job the right way put it on the agenda, bring documented facts, and present a succession plan. What you did instead an 11th-hour, off-agenda termination shot after a marathon meeting with an empty room looks like politics and personal grievance, not governance. If you have evidence, show it. If you don’t, stop destabilizing county operations with vague accusations.
And this “end-of-meeting surprise motion” routine isn’t new people remember the same kind of late meeting maneuvering from your Flagler Beach days. If you want public trust, stop the stunts and bring your case in daylight: specifics, documentation, and a plan.
And spare us the lecture about ‘positive community interaction the community has a long memory about how certain bike races have been handled with your actions.
Can’t wait to vote you out.
celia says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_jeSInqjzI The last 20 minutes on the 1/12 FCBOCC are very revealing and a chair loosing her grip while recalling the great communicator late Mr. Salinas was and how county administrator and staff ignores our commissioners request of information and collaboration to resolve the issues they present and needed to be resolved to the request of the resident voters that sat them in their seats. Carney, Pennington and Richardson represent us, and they are ignored! Why Pennington didn’t second Carney’s motion after her long realistic display, shocks me and why Richardson ditto after her own complaint against Pettito, shocked me even further! We the Palm Coast voters are not represented in the 1/12 FCBOCC except for Carney! Well now here comes 2026 to change all that!
Using Common Sense says
The termination of Ms. Petito and the airport “manager” need to be on the next county meeting agenda. What has been allowed to transpire by the repeated failures and collusion of these two is tragic for the residents of Palm Coast, Bunnell, and Flagler County. No transparency, sunshine violations, failure to address public health and safety concerns, improper grant applications , failure to comply with enterprise fund requirements, siphoning general fund dollars to pay for bloated retirement packages and obscene benefits, bully behavior, retaliation against those that shine light on the facts, and rogue operations devoid of proper oversight or approval are some of the grounds for termination with cause. Sieger and Petito are liabilities to Flagler County and their conspired rogue actions have caused irreparable harm to quality of life and threaten the safety, health, and welfare of every resident of Flagler County.
Knightmomoftwo says
The Board did the same thing when they fired David Haas, but I think he could not get out of there fast enough. I agree that if there is proof that Heidi is not doing her job or is not taking the Board in the right direction, the Board needs to bring proof and not just allegations. And it is up to the Board to give the direction on how they want administration to proceed. And correct me if I am incorrect, but wasn’t Luci Dance hired before Andy was elected. So how is that a conflict? Heidi was nuts to take the Administrator position, she should have stayed as the General Services Director.
Flagler live dig more says
Flagler live should look into sunshine law violations from commissioners. How do people know so much with so little information out in the public meetings? What at the golden girls sharing that isn’t in public record? What is hidden? Collusion? Where is HR? Where is legal? Where is the historical pattern? Good performer to termination in a year? How much is the wrongful termination suit going to cost the county/citizens? Woman firing woman doesn’t protect you from a protected class lawsuit. Where is HR? Where is legal opinion? Yes I asked those twice. Heidi is it goes through I’d sue. Judging by the comments you have the support of the citizens.
Agreed the Fat says
Where is HR? The director just graduated high school and was hired by Heidi because she’s friends with his mom! Where is HR? Apparently he’s never at work. Wasting taxpayer dollars.
Sherry says
Kim Carney. . . Tea Party Queen of Childish Chaos and Division! You were warned before the election!
Soon Heidi, BYE says
FINALLY KIM CARNEY did her due dillegence and went around the crybaby Leann and Andy & found out from the attorney that Heidi can be fired at any time. She does not complete anything worth the citizens time here in Palm Coast. Additionally, there have been formal complaints filed specifically against her direct report employees. Yet, when you ask Ms. Petito for proof that the formal complaint is in their employee file, as well as any HR employee, magically – the formal complaints are not there. And, those very employees receive stellar, almost perfect employer reviews. Heidi has been caught lying, especially on federal grant funding applications & to the public. She has positioned herself to quit responding the very citizens that pay her overly inflated salary of over $200K! Leann needs to stop crying about her, and her livelihood. 3 votes removes her, her behavior, lack of follow through to tax paying citizens. They, the council need to worry more about where this County is going and less about feelings. Heidi, your days are numbered. You should bow out gracefully.
celia says
To Soon Heidi Bye: I am very sorry that as Palmcoaster since 1991 I can only give you one “Like”. You summed all the real reasons why Carney rightfully vote to terminate the county manager. We the many affected Palmcoasters by Heidi’s lack of concern played along by Commissioners Hansen and Dance, is pathetic. Our services funds contributed in our taxes always used to benefit “the wants” of some in her staff, developers or other special interest, than the needs of the community that pays her handsome income. This county agricultural lands all around Palm Coast “are being rezoned” including the untimely dictatorial “airport overlay” all the time by the magical push of county planner to benefit developers and with total green flag and support of the administrators and BOCC since I moved here in 91. Now the latest one is the one proposed for the January 16th rezone meeting. After their rezone request approved then as usual, they ask annexation to Palm Coast tiding the city hands due to the previous county rezoning to force us to provide extension of very costly utility and other services not sufficiently paid by the impact fees or city gets sued. Results are the never stop increase of our utility fee and the lack of sufficient services while the developers and elite flyboys and schools benefit and profit from it. All of the above and much more taking place is why I agree with Kim Carney’s motion to terminate. Residents like our beloved Jane Gentile Youd that we just sadly lost, to the fate of our community, have never seeing resolved issues like the eyesore decrepit mess former Best Western Hotel unsightly grounds right outside the access to her beloved community. That speaks well for why some county residents agreed with Mrs. Carney as well. Time for change.