FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (WINK)—Fort Myers Beach placed two senior staff on administrative leave as an independent review examines how it acquires and handles certain contracts and grants.
The town council confirmed the names of the employees. Frankie Kropacek and Jeff Hauge have been placed on paid leave. WINK News reached out to both men but did not immediately hear back.
According to the staff directory, Kropacek is the community development director. Hauge is the community services director.
In a Facebook post, Fort Myers Beach said placing the employees on leave is a precautionary step to protect the integrity of an ongoing review. The post said Fort Myers Beach takes the stewardship of public funds seriously and will share appropriate updates as the findings of the review progress.
“The Town is conducting a thorough and fair review and gathering all relevant facts and evidence,” Fort Myers Beach Public Information Officer Abigail Eberhart said. “We ask for the community’s patience and respect for the process as this work continues.”
The town did not specify which grants and contracts are under review. Eberhart said the employees do not have anything to do with the town’s emergency funds, which are lowered from Hurricane Ian, or FEMA grant funding.
Town Manager Will McKannay will hold a public town hall in a “timely manner” to present the findings, Eberhart said. People will be able to ask questions directly of town leaders. McKannay will explain the town’s actions and how it plans to move forward, Eberhart said.
“The Town is committed to protecting public funds, maintaining the public’s trust, and providing residents with a direct and transparent accounting of this matter once the review is complete,” Eberhart said.