- May 23, 2025
A month after Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris was accused of violating the City Charter, an independent investigation confirmed the accusations, saying he had "crossed the line."
Among other violations, Norris unilaterally sought the resignations of the Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston and Chief of Staff Jason DeLorenzo behind closed doors on March 10, according to an April 18 report by Adam Brandon, of the Lawson Huck Gonzalez law firm.
After summarizing more than a dozen interviews conducted with city staff, as well as Norris himself, the report concludes this way:
“These findings reveal a pattern of inappropriate conduct and unprofessional behavior by Mayor Mike Norris that undermines the city’s council-manager form of government and creates a hostile work environment for city employees. Mayor Norris further exceeded the powers granted under the City Charter by seeking the resignations of the Acting City Manager and Chief of Staff. Further independent investigation and corrective action may be warranted to address these issues and restore integrity and morale.”
Norris, in an interview conducted by the law firm on April 15, gave this rebuttal, “There has been a lot of confusion surrounding a conversation I had with Lauren Johnston and Jason DeLorenzo. I want to be clear: I did not demand their resignations.”
Instead, he said, “I requested their resignations.”
He acknowledged that the City Charter does not give him “the authority to terminate employees.” But, he continued, “As the Mayor, I believe I have the right to request a resignation when I lose confidence in a staff member.”
But even if Norris only "requested" the resignations, "this conduct likely meets the definition of interference in the Charter," the report states.
Furthermore, Norris had said repeatedly for months that he wanted to "fire" Johnston and DeLorenzo, despite multiple warnings from the city attorney that he could not interfere.
WHAT'S NEXT?
City Council members Charles Gambaro, Ty Miller and Theresa Pontieri agreed on March 11 to have the investigation conducted against Norris. The council, which now includes appointee Dave Sullivan, meets next on April 22.
The City Charter doesn't say what should happen next. "However," the report states, "malfeasance can generally lead to penalties including removal from office, suspension, public censure, salary forfeiture, civil fines, and restitution."
According to the report, the City Council has several options for how to respond. It could refer the matter to the Florida Commission on Ethics; it could formally censure Norris "for conduct unbecoming of a public official," including violations of the City Charter; and it could take action to clarify enforcement options, when someone violates the charter.
The report states that, while some employees "genuinely like the mayor, most city employees described low morale and widespread fear about what Mayor Norris will say or do next."
DeLorenzo reported in his interview: "Mayor Norris has referred to having 'spider webs' or informants who provide him with internal information. He once said to me directly, 'You know I have spider webs, right Jason?' This has caused concern among staff, as it creates a culture of distrust and discourages open communication."
The report recommends, therefore, that the City Council hire a city manager that has the council's full support. Currently, there are two candidates remaining in the city's search; interviews are scheduled to be conducted on April 24.
In addition, the report states, elected officials should be trained on the City Charter, Sunshine Law, ethics and "respectful workplace conduct." The City Council should also affirm the city's whistleblower protections, and monitor the relationship between City Council and city employees.
WHAT DOES THE CHARTER SAY?
In the Palm Coast City Charter, the mayor's role is ceremonial, presiding over city meetings; generally, the mayor has no more authority than the other four members of the City Council.
No member of the council may unilaterally terminate an employee of the city. The city manager and city attorney are removable by a majority vote only.
The charter gives all administrative duties to the city manager and prohibits any council member from "interfering with the performance of the duties of any city employee." Such action, the charter continues, "shall be malfeasance within the meaning of Florida Statutes."
Interfering denotes "meddling, intervening, or intruding into affairs or duties that is one is not authorized to influence or control." Malfeasance denotes any violation of the state's Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees.
FURTHER ACCUSATIONS
In addition to the March 10 meeting with Johnston and DeLorenzo, which was witnessed also by City Attorney Marcus Duffy, Norris was also found to be causing a hostile work environment.
Over the past several months, Norris made derogatory comments about one female staff member's toenail polish, and another's pantsuit. He later said he was just kidding about both; but, the report states: "it is improper for any employee or elected official to comment on a female's body part."
The comments expose the city to risk of potential lawsuits, the report states, although they're not necessarily against the charter.
Norris also demeaned staff performance and advocated for the hiring of younger employees.
"The mayor's guidance, if followed, could have exposed the city to age-discrimination lawsuits," the report states.
Norris commonly uses profanity and threatening comments, causing a double standard. "If a normal city employee were to use profanity against a resident, that employee would be subject to corrective action, such as training or suspension," the report states.
DANKO'S ETHICS COMPLAINT
Former City Councilman Ed Danko declined to be interviewed by the Lawson law firm; instead, he submitted an ethics complaint that he has submitted to the state.
The complaint alleges that Norris directed the city attorney to "initiate lawsuits against individuals Norris labeled as his 'political enemies.'"
Norris declined the accusation, saying instead: "I simply asked for a referral to a personal attorney so I could explore my options in regard to a defamation case I was mulling over against Mr Danko and Mr Lowe. After thinking it over, and in light of winning the election even after their actions, I decided to let it go. That is all that was."
Danko said in a statement on April 21 that he will let the ethics process take its course, other than to say: "It seems to me that Mr. Norris tends to his grudges like a garden."
