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County Attorney's Report 12. 1.

BCC Regular Meeting

Action

Meeting Date:	05/07/2020
Issue: Settlement of FDOH Administrative Complaint
From:	CHARLES PEPPLER
Department:	County Attorney's Office
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning Settlement of FDOH Administrative Complaint.

That the Board approve the settlement agreement proposed by the Florida Department of Health and authorize the County Administrator to execute the agreement on behalf of Escambia County Public Safety Department.

BACKGROUND:

On or about March 5, 2020, Escambia County Public Safety Department was served with an Administrative Complaint by the Florida Department of Health alleging that in or about the year 2018, that Emergency Medical Services, as a licensee of the Department of Health, engaged in unprofessional conduct by issuing recertification to instructors who had not met recertification requirements. The Administrative Complaint did not name any of the employees involved who had issued recertifications for teaching credentials. However, after the filing of the Administrative Complaint, three former employees, Leon Salter, Stephen White and James Bonoyer and current employee, Katherine Kenney, were arrested for various felonies related to the issuance of teaching credentials without proper recertification. Ms. Kenney was terminated from her employment.

The Department of Health proposes to issue a letter of reprimand by the Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight. A copy of the proposed letter of reprimand is attached to this recommendation. In addition, the proposed settlement would require the payment of a $5000.00 fine. The proposed settlement agreement is attached to this recommendation.

Both the County Attorney’s Office and the County Administrator have reviewed the proposed settlement agreement and letter of reprimand and recommend approval as a reasonable disposition of the Administrative Complaint.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

N/A

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

The County Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved the Settlement Agreement.

PERSONNEL:

N/A

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

N/A

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

N/A

Attachments
Proposed Settlement Agreement
Letter of Reprimand