Ley resigns from county

Sarasota County commissioners accepted County Administrator Jim Ley's resignation proposal this morning, a day after the commission tabled the discussion of Ley's offer as a result of initial disagreement about a “clawback” provision.

Ley, who had been with the county for 14 years, offered to resign when he became, as he put it, “ a lightning rod” for debate centered around a purchasing scandal that has led to an arrest, multiple employee terminations and one suicide of a fired county worker.

The clawback clause in the agreement that Commissioner Joe Barbetta sought would have required Ley to return his severance if later found guilty of a crime. Commissioners did not include that provision when they voted 4-1 to accept Ley's resignation, with Barbetta dissenting. Ley will receive roughly $300,000 in compensation.