The Polk County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to temporarily remove long-time CareerSource Polk President and CEO Stacy Campbell-Domineck without pay. In her place, Nilda Blanco has stepped in as interim executive director.
Key Details of the Removal
- State Intervention: Action followed a letter from state workforce officials (Florida Department of Commerce and CareerSource Florida) citing a pattern of noncooperation, questionable fiscal management, unapproved expenditures, and unauthorized office closures.
- Independent Review: Commissioners authorized an expedited external governance review to examine CareerSource Polk’s management, board oversight, and financial controls before making a final determination on permanent removal or reinstatement.
- Restrictions: Under the suspension, Campbell-Domineck is prohibited from entering CareerSource Polk facilities, accessing official records, or communicating with staff and board members in an executive capacity.
Context & Next Steps
- Contractual Terms: Campbell-Domineck’s contract runs through June 2029 at an annual salary of approximately $220,000. Termination without cause includes 52 weeks of severance, though commissioners are evaluating whether grounds exist for termination for cause.
- Local Impact: The leadership shakeup has extended to local boards; the Lakeland City Commission recently discussed her position on the Lakeland Housing Authority board following public inquiries, though no action was taken pending the outcome of the county’s review.
- State Response Window: Polk County was given 15 business days from the initial state letter to present findings and corrective actions to avoid potential funding reductions or board decertification.
(Visited 267 times, 1 visits today)