Transparency

Residents of Marco Island deserve transparency, especially regarding our city’s financial health. Unfortunately, the 2024 audit process - under City Manager Mike McNees - has been anything but. 

As a former councilor, I worked with Mr. McNees for four years. I respect him personally. He is a man of character and integrity. But his handling of this audit was a clear failure. Our City resolutions mandate the Audit Advisory Committee meet at least three times during the audit cycle. Not one meeting occurred - a gross oversight. 

More troubling, the audit revealed serious findings: material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, and multiple restatements. Having spent years in corporate governance, I know such results require immediate disclosure to leadership and to the Board of Directors. Yet Mr. McNees waited weeks - and still said nothing to Council. That directly violates the Charter’s requirement to keep Council “fully advised” of our financial condition. 

This isn’t his only managerial failure. For years, he conducted no written performance reviews - a basic expectation of leadership and a breach of his employmentcontract. 

This pattern of non-performance cannot continue. Whether he resigns or Council acts, the City Manager should be replaced. Marco Island needs this change