Former Planning Director Katie Halloran Complaint and Final Report Findings
- Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
- Dec 5, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Former Planning Director Katie Halloran’s Complaint and Final Report Findings
By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco December 5, 2025
The former Planning Director Katie Halloran’s Complaint against the city was scandalous. the final report was released with little attention from local corporate media. They were happy, however, to print her long so called resignation letter (which wasnt the actual letter) which was more of a political attempt to sway voters, and to smear the accused before even an investigation was completed. The local biased media doesn't play fair, but the facts cannot be ignored because the report has been released.
On November 13, 2025, attorney Ria Chattergoon of RC Law Group in Hollywood, Florida released a public investigation report commissioned by the City of Key West. The report examined allegations made by former Planning Director Katie Halloran, who resigned on September 1, 2025 after claiming she faced a hostile work environment under City Manager Brian Barroso. Her complaints included intimidation, surveillance-like behavior, aggressive confrontations, and inappropriate comments.
Halloran’s resignation was highly publicized. Local media published her two-page letter addressed to “residents and voters” of Key West, which gave it a political tone. In the letter, she repeated her accusations and expressed hope that “the City’s investigator will publish her report, that the City Commission will respond, and share the findings with the public.”
She also warned that the Grand Jury Report about the City might be ignored as a “mirage.” Addressing the letter to both "residents and voters" suggested her intent was not only to share her complaint but also to influence elections.
Response to the Complaint
The City responded on September 5, 2025, clarifying that the letter Halloran shared publicly was not her actual resignation. The official resignation was a short email: “Good afternoon Alice, As we discussed by phone I am submitting my resignation… effective immediately.” Officials also corrected inaccuracies, explaining that restructuring was designed to improve efficiency, cross-train staff, and strengthen collaboration.
The restructuring included office changes. Growth Management Director Patrick Wright moved to the Planning Director’s office on the first floor to be closer to daily operations, while the Planning Director’s workspace was shifted to the central planning suite to stay near their team.
In a June 27 email to Halloran, Wright explained, “This isn’t a change I wanted to implement without you, but in light of the Commission’s directive and space constraints, I believe this layout will support better collaboration and operational efficiency moving forward.” Wright later emphasized that the move was based on necessity and organizational logic, adding that “interdepartmental collaboration is at an all-time high.”
Attorney Chattergoon began investigating in August 2025. She interviewed 15 witnesses and reviewed city policies and EEOC guidelines, conducting the investigation independently of city management or HR staff.
Complaint Details & Findings
Halloran’s first concern was Barroso’s frequent presence in her department, which she and her staff perceived as “surveillance.” Several employees confirmed that Barroso often walked through the Planning Department, making staff uneasy. Barroso countered that he was deliberately trying to be visible and approachable, noting that his predecessor “did not interact with the City’s employees.” He even initiated “Coffee with the City Manager” sessions to encourage one-on-one dialogue.
Another flashpoint occurred when Halloran forwarded a Planning Board appointee’s resolution to the City Clerk. Barroso objected, saying he wanted to establish the budget before recommendations were made. Halloran recalled that Barroso came to her office with Assistant City Manager Rod Delostrinos, speaking in a “loud” and “aggressive” tone.
Former employee Kim Walsh testified she overheard yelling and later saw Barroso and Delostrinos “smiling and high fiving each other by the door.” Both men denied hostility, insisting the conversation was firm but not abusive.
Halloran also described Barroso’s comments as threatening. During one meeting, he allegedly told her the Planning Department was hers “until it wasn’t.” She interpreted this as a warning about her job security. Barroso admitted using similar phrases with all department heads, such as “people need to be on the train or get off the train,” explaining that he was trying to establish consistency. Witnesses described his tone as “intense” but not abusive.
Another allegation involved a public records request tied to the Casa Marina hotel project. Halloran said Barroso accused her of favoritism and warned that “if the results of the investigation showed that she provided the report without a public record request they would be having a different conversation.” She saw this as a threat to her job. Barroso acknowledged the remark but said he was protecting the City by requiring documentation of verbal requests.
Halloran also raised concerns about gender-based conduct. She claimed Barroso referred to her as “six foot sexy,” a comment confirmed by employee Jordan Mannix-Lachner. She also added that Barroso “tended to treat women very differently than men,” often kissing female employees on the cheek while shaking hands with men.
Barroso denied the comment and said culturally he hugged and kissed both men and women. It is a well known fact in Key West that in Conch culture, especially of Cuban descent, it would be considered rude if you didn't address people in such a friendly manner. To confirm this fact, some male employees who were interviewed confirmed he hugged them also, while several female directors denied feeling uncomfortable about it at all.
Additional grievances included disciplinary actions and removal of duties. Halloran said she was unfairly counseled for failing to respond to emails, though HR Director Bridget Flores stated she had been copied on emails requiring her input and failed to reply.
She also claimed her responsibilities were reduced when divisions like sustainability and historic preservation were moved under Growth Management Director Patrick Wright. She argued this stripped her authority, while Barroso and Wright explained the restructuring was part of broader budget cuts and reorganization.
Halloran further said she was asked to discipline employees in ways she disagreed with. One example was Wright asking her to discipline staff, including Kim Walsh, for a clerical error in noticing a Planning Board meeting. Halloran felt this hurt her relationship with her team. Wright admitted he raised the issue but explained that he only asked for coaching sessions, not formal discipline, and gave deadlines to ensure they were completed.
Halloran also claimed that a permit technician position was removed from her department after she filed her complaint. She said she followed the City’s hiring process and even made an offer to a candidate, but later had to retract it. She believed the decision was sudden and unfair.
Employee Kerri Voelkel recalled the situation and said Halloran made the offer before an official one was prepared. Assistant City Manager Todd Stoughton told Voelkel that Halloran knew the position was being eliminated during budget reorganization. Halloran denied knowing this and said she was caught off guard.
In the end, the investigation concluded that Halloran’s claims did not meet the legal threshold for a hostile work environment under federal or Florida law. To qualify, harassment must be “sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of employment.” While Halloran subjectively perceived Barroso’s behavior as intimidating, the evidence did not support an objectively hostile environment.
The report noted that Barroso’s communication style was “not welcomed by Ms. Halloran and other now former employees,” but found no unlawful harassment or discrimination. Since Halloran resigned, no corrective recommendations were made in the report.
This investigation highlights that Barroso inherited a difficult situation already under scrutiny when he became City Manager. While Halloran’s concerns reflected genuine discomfort, the evidence showed Barroso’s actions were part of broader reorganization and not targeted at her specifically.
With Halloran’s resignation behind the City and nearly all of the Grand Jury’s recommendations now implemented, Key West government is positioned to move forward. The focus is shifting toward collaboration, efficiency, and transparency. Perhaps it’s time to let go of past discord and look ahead to a brighter future for the City of Key West in 2026.
Sources
Chattergoon, Ria. Investigation: Complaint by Katie Halloran. RC Law Group, 13 Nov. 2025, pp. 1–10. Report prepared for the City of Key West.
City of Key West. Response to Halloran. 5 Sept. 2025. Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/CityofKeyWest/posts/the-city-of-key-west-would-like-to-clarify-some-misinformation-contained-in-a-le/1104684621800753/
Liana Gonzalez-Blanco
Liana is a Key West native who loves writing about her island home. She taught English to students in grades 6–12 for nearly 35 years in Key West schools, sharing her love of literature and language with generations of local students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Liana is the owner of Conch Media Group, LLC, and the creator and manager of The Key West Post. Her goal is to keep readers informed about the issues that matter most in Key West. As a lifelong local, she offers a perspective often missing from corporate media and from journalists and bloggers who are new to the island. When Liana isn't writing and managing this website, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. On most days, you’ll find her walking, biking, or running outdoors, soaking up the natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse cultures that make Key West so special.
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