Lynn Haven city commissioners are putting off making a decision about who will replace ousted Mayor Margo Anderson until later this week.
The commission will meet on Thursday at 9 a.m. to discuss appointing a new mayor. Anderson left office last week after she was arrested for allegedly misusing federal Hurricane Michael recovery dollars, accepting kickbacks and lying to federal investigators.
An ongoing investigation into public corruption has led to charges brought against four former city officials.
While commissioners are not hinting yet at who might serve as mayor, they’ve already eliminated one potential candidate: Mayor Pro Tem Dan Russell.
Russell hasn’t been charged, but he’s the “Lynn Haven commissioner” referenced in the indictment for participating in an alleged kickback scheme with private insurance company WorldClaim, which was awarded a contract to handle all of the city’s claims for hurricane-damaged properties.
The indictment states: “No money was paid by the City Commissioner [Russell] for WorldClaim to represent him and assisting him in obtaining approximately $75,000 from an insurance company for damages done to his private property.”
Russell has said he’s innocent of any wrongdoing.
Still, a motion to appoint him mayor never received a second. “With everything hanging, I just can’t second that,” said City Commissioner Brandon Aldridge. “I just can’t.”
The newly appointed mayor will serve until April 2021. That's when the next city elections take place. Bay County Elections Supervisor Mark Andersen says whoever wins that atypical mayoral race will serve two years, instead of four, before facing reelection in 2023 "to put the cycle back on track."
Gov. Ron DeSantis has the power to appoint someone to serve for the next several months if commissioners can’t agree on a new mayor by the end of the week.
Some commissioners expressed concern that DeSantis wouldn't step in. But the high-level of public distrust in city government could pressure him to act if local leaders refuse to appoint anyone.
Lynn Haven Resident Arlene Harrison told commissioners she'd like to see DeSantis make the choice.
“This is the head of our city in a city that has incredible corruption,” Harrison said. “I personally think Governor DeSantis would appoint a mayor, and I would prefer that.”
