Key West Commission to Read Whistleblower and Inspector General Ordinances Thursday

Twin reform measures aim to restore transparency and public trust after corruption scandal

The Key West City Commission on Thursday will take up two major reform measures designed to strengthen oversight and protect city employees who report wrongdoing — among the most significant steps toward accountability since last year’s corruption scandal rocked City Hall.

The measures — a first reading of the new Whistleblower Protection Act and a second and final reading of the Independent Inspector General ordinance — are companion pieces in a broader reform effort to rebuild public confidence in city government. If the Inspector General ordinance passes, it will immediately become part of the City Code.

Both items stem from the 2025 Spring Term Monroe County Grand Jury report, which called for stronger transparency, internal safeguards, and independent oversight following a joint FBI and State Attorney’s Office investigation that has already produced 21 felony indictments — and counting — against former City Attorney Ron Ramsingh, his brother and former Chief Building Official Raj Ramsingh, and longtime Code Enforcement Director Jim Young.

Whistleblower Protection Ordinance — First Reading

The Whistleblower Protection ordinance, up for first reading Thursday, would create a formal Employee Protection Whistleblower Act establishing a codified process allowing city employees, vendors, and contractors to report misconduct without fear of retaliation.

The ordinance amends Chapter 50 of the city code to create a new Article III — Employee Protection Whistleblower Act. It prohibits any adverse personnel action — such as termination, demotion, suspension, or loss of benefits — against employees who disclose information about fraud, misuse of funds, or other unlawful activity.

Complaints could be filed confidentially with the City Manager, or if the complaint involves that office, with the city’s Inspector General. The measure also creates a three-member impartial panel — consisting of a department head, a city employee, and a resident — to investigate complaints and issue findings.

If retaliation is substantiated, whistleblowers could be reinstated with back pay, restored seniority, and benefits. The ordinance also mandates training for all employees and applies retroactively to pending complaints.

The local measure mirrors the Florida Whistleblower Act (F.S. §112.3187 et seq.) but adds city-level investigation procedures and extends confidentiality protections under F.S. §§119.0713 and 112.3188, ensuring anonymity to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Kaufman Urges Stronger Independence

While supporting the concept, Commissioner Sam Kaufman has urged additional amendments before final adoption, seeking to strengthen the ordinance’s independence, clarity, and enforcement provisions.

In a memo to City Attorney Kendal Harden, Kaufman recommended that whistleblower complaints be routed directly to the Office of Inspector General, or to an external IG through an interlocal agreement, rather than through supervisors or the City Manager. He also called for creation of an independent, anonymous intake system — including hotline, web, and in-person options — and urged that complainants not be required to sign written reports to qualify for protection.

Kaufman’s proposed revisions include:

• Expanding who is protected to cover employees, applicants, volunteers, vendors, subcontractors, and residents who report misconduct.

• Shifting the burden of proof so the city must show, by clear and convincing evidence, that any adverse action would have occurred absent the disclosure.

• Authorizing stronger remedies, such as reinstatement, front and back pay, attorney’s fees, and civil fines against individuals who retaliate.

• Reinforcing confidentiality by making the unauthorized disclosure of a complainant’s identity a disciplinable offense.

• Empowering the Inspector General to issue interim protective measures when retaliation risk exists.

• Ensuring accountability and transparency through annual training, quarterly public dashboards, and yearly independent audits of the whistleblower program.

Kaufman also suggested that, once fully established, the Inspector General oversee the impartial review process — or replace it altogether — to prevent potential conflicts of interest within city management.

Inspector General Ordinance — Second Reading (Sponsored by Donie Lee)

The Independent Inspector General ordinance, sponsored by Commissioner Donie Lee and appearing for its second and final reading, would formally establish the city’s first Office of the Inspector General, an autonomous watchdog charged with investigating fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement across all city departments.

Once adopted, the Inspector General will report directly to the City Commission rather than the City Manager, providing oversight independent of administrative control. The IG’s authority would include auditing contracts, reviewing procurement processes, subpoenaing records, and recommending disciplinary or policy action when appropriate.

The ordinance also directs the Inspector General to maintain a confidential complaint system and coordinate with state and federal law-enforcement agencies when necessary, complementing the protections created under the new Whistleblower Act.

AT A GLANCE

What:

• First Reading — Whistleblower Protection Act (Employee Protection Ordinance)

• Second Reading — Independent Inspector General Ordinance (Sponsored by Commissioner Donie Lee)

Why: Response to Grand Jury recommendations for transparency and stronger ethics enforcement

Key Features:

• Anti-retaliation protections and confidential reporting process

• Expanded independent oversight under Kaufman’s proposed amendments

• Independent Inspector General reporting directly to City Commission

• Investigative powers over fraud, waste, abuse, and procurement

Context: Reforms follow a corruption probe resulting in 21 felony indictments involving former City Attorney Ron Ramsingh, former Chief Building Official Raj Ramsingh, and Code Enforcement Director Jim Young

Next Step: Commission votes scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, during the afternoon session beginning at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 1300 White Street.