City of DeBary votes to sue mayor ​

Public records at center of dispute

DeBARY, Fla. – A special meeting over DeBary Mayor Clint Johnson ended with the decision to sue the mayor.

A heated argument between Johnson and the City Council Wednesday night had residents speaking out.

The city manager called for the special meeting to discuss issues involving Johnson, including 200 missing surveys, receipts and contracts residents have asked him for.

The council was going to wait until next month on deciding whether to file a lawsuit, but they said because of Johnson's social media posts, they called the meeting Wednesday night to make a decision.

"I'm embarrassed to live here," one resident said. "I want to move."

The outcome ended in a lawsuit against the mayor.

"It's very bothersome. It's city business that needs to be taken care of," said Chris Carson, council member.

"You have to file suit. It's more of a direction. It's an accountability action," he said.

Council member Chris Carson said the lawsuit is about fulfilling record requests, and said Johnson has not turned over all the information residents requested. News 6 learned some of those requests are from 2015.
Some residents agreed with city leaders on the lawsuit.

"It's public record. We should be able to see it. Unless he's hiding something, there's no reason why he shouldn't," said Lisa Ames.

"Anytime you talk about city business on social media, it opens the city up for liability," said Carson.
"I'm disappointed," Johnson said. "It's nothing new for this particular city. It's an embarrassment. This whole witch hunt is just ridiculous, but I'm disappointed we can't be anymore mature than that."

Johnson rushed to leave the meeting, but he said even with the lawsuit, he's not going anywhere.


About the Authors:

Loren Korn is a native Texan who joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2014. She was born and raised in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Journalism.

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.

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