Lakeland’s City Hall is unexpectedly one staff member lighter as of Monday.
Sontidra Thomas, the city employee with the longest tenure at 17 years, was fired for a personnel policy violation.
The termination was effective immediately.
The details have not been released, although interim city manager Jim Atkinson said the issue was not a criminal one.
He has described it as a “one-time careless act left to continue for a period of time.”
Until the city can advertise and fill her position, her former colleagues will be pitching to ensure the necessary work is completed.
“There will be a strain on staff to cover the recorder responsibilities, but other staff, including myself, will absorb the workload,” Atkinson said.
Written by Carolyn Bahm, Express editor. Contact her at (901) 433-9138 or via email to bartlett.editor@journalinc.com.
Hmm. That’s a long tenure for a sudden departure. I hope all parties are able to recover quickly.