Clerk files power-grab lawsuit against county manager to block all spending authority

In a move with potentially far-reaching implications for county government operations, local businesses and the area’s economy, Collier Clerk of Courts Dwight Brock has filed a lawsuit against Collier County’s manager and purchasing director, asking the courts to block them from entering into any contracts for services.

If he succeeds, the move by Brock would strip virtually all discretionary spending away from county staff for small dollar items and for any items below the county’s competitive bid threshold that’s outlined in the county’s purchasing ordinance. County Manager Leo Ochs has previously told Collier Commissioners Brock’s demands would essentially grind county government operations to a halt and create red-tape that isn’t the norm in counties across Florida and hasn’t been the norm in Collier for many years.

More broadly though, Brock is asking the courts to authorize him to block any purchases that he deems don’t have a valid public purpose, which would give him broad discretion over all county spending. County government purchasing pumps more than $100 million to local Collier area businesses each year. 

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Reporting by: Gina Edwards

Dateline: Naples, Fla., April 13, 2015

Contact Gina Edwards at 239-514-1336 or by email at ginavossedwards@gmail.com