Fate of DeBary mayor debated, postponed

DEBARY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Despite hundreds of residents coming out Wednesday night expecting some sort of resolution, DeBary City Council members ultimately voted to postpone the hearing that will determine the mayor's fate until next month.

Hundreds of residents packed into the Florence Little Town Hall in anticipation of an end to the on-going feud between the council and Mayor Clint Johnson.  Johnson’s lawyer argued that they did not have enough time to prepare for the hearing, so after much discussion, the City Council voted to postpone the hearing to their July 6 meeting.  At that time, they will decide if the mayor violated the city charter on 13 counts. 

“I was prepared for whatever outcome might happen so I guess we’ll hear further, I’m glad that there’s a little extra time to hear everything out and sometimes cooler minds prevail but, we’ll take it from the next meeting,” said Mayor Johnson.

If they determine there was a violation then another hearing will be held immediately after to determine whether forfeiture should be declared on the mayor.

“Hopefully we can move this through a very smooth process that results in the right outcome,” said Drew Smith, the attorney representing the Council.

Lawyers for both parties will have to exchange their evidence and witness lists by June 21, 15 days before that July 6 hearing.