ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – After weeks of debate between the Orange County Commission and the Supervisor of Elections office, the county has taken steps to ensure employees are paid during the holidays.
On Tuesday, the commission voted unanimously to direct the comptroller to pay nearly 60 Supervisor of Elections employees through payroll company ADP. The decision sets aside approximately $250,000 to cover the Dec. 26 payroll period.
This move comes as the county continues to freeze funds over allegations of financial mismanagement, including the misuse of several million dollars in scholarship funds.
“He wasn’t allowed to give that money to the Central Florida Foundation,” said Orange County Comptroller Phil Diamond. “He gave $1.1 million.”
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As part of the vote, the commission also directed Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean to cancel the $1.1 million donation to the Central Florida Foundation. Comptroller Phil Diamond expressed confidence that any unspent funds would be returned.
“I think they have to,” Diamond said. “If he asks, they have to because the contract says he has the right to cancel it. I’m glad the contract says that.”
The comptroller’s office presented a preliminary audit revealing that the Supervisor of Elections office’s bank account is operating with a deficit of more than $500,000.
County attorneys assured commissioners that the approved funds would guarantee employee paychecks during the holidays.
“If I could tell the judge tomorrow that the county has authorized the comptroller to take whatever steps necessary to get the employees paid, I think that would go a long way to dissolve that particular issue,” one attorney said.
Following the commission’s decision, Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean addressed the situation on X:
“Today was a win for the Supervisor of Elections office. I will always fight for my staff & am glad the county voted to ensure payroll is made over the holidays. Unfortunately, our office was put in this position due to lies told by the Mayor & an astonishing misunderstanding of elections by the Comptroller.”
Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean
A hearing between the county and the Supervisor of Elections office is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
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