Months after surviving an attempted ouster, County Administrator Joy Andrews had her once tenuous position solidified Tuesday with a 3-2 Board of Commissioners vote for a contract extension.
After 40 public speakers backed Andrews, Commissioners Clay Murphy, Christian Whitehurst and Sarah Arnold tallied in favor of the three-year bump, while Board Chair Krista Joseph and Commissioner Ann Taylor voted against.
“Her commitment to integrity and unshakeable belief in public service is something all public officials should strive for,” St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell said during a comment period before the vote.
The commission’s decision comes roughly five months after Joseph introduced a motion for a vote of no confidence that would have likely forced Andrews’ exit.
Joseph questioned Andrews’ overall performance, focusing largely on her absence during the troubled rollout of a new county garbage collection company last year.
She also accused Andrews of serving as an administrative conduit for developers and impeding environmental initiatives.
While that gambit failed, the episode exposed deep board divisions over the administrator’s standing.
Reports later revealed that Andrews had applied for a job in Palm Beach County, a move she said stemmed from concerns about her job stability following her attempted removal.
She later withdrew that application, citing her desire to keep her family in St. Johns County.
With the auditorium at near capacity, 40 members of the public spoke in favor of Andrews on Tuesday, many wearing stickers reading “Joy” as they took the podium.
The speakers represented a cross-section of the county, including community advocates, local officials, business leaders, veterans and longtime residents.
Several members of St. Augustine CARE, a community advocacy group focused on racial equity, praised Andrews for her responsiveness and efforts to increase transparency and public engagement.
Representatives from historically black neighborhoods in West St. Augustine echoed these sentiments, calling Andrews the most responsive county commissioner they’ve encountered.
Another speaker said she empathized with Andrews’ decision to seek employment elsewhere amid what they described as unjust criticism.
“Given the appalling treatment she has recently and relentlessly endured, I would expect anyone to look outside our county for other employment opportunities. When does the public humiliation end?” the speaker asked.
Several others condemned social media broadsides that have come Andrews’ way since news of her Palm Beach job application surfaced.
“I don’t think it has any place in a democracy,” one speaker said. “The ends don’t justify the means. The means in democracy is debate and dialogue and it should happen open and transparently. So I’m hoping we can rise above this social media platform that I believe has really denigrated our county.”
Hastings farmer Leonard Freeman spoke emotionally about the county administrator. “It’s crucial to recognize and support leaders like Joy Andrews whose unwavering dedication and hard work has significantly benefited St. Johns County. As a Hastings farmer, I’m profoundly appreciative of her commitment.”
Bill Dudley, chairman of the Veterans Council of St. Johns County, praised Andrews’ engagement with past military members. “I have never experienced a better working relationship with this county than my experience working with Joy Andrews,” he said.
Other notable backers included former Commissioner Henry Dean, 904 Now host Troy Blevins and Tourism and Development Council Chair Irving Kass.
After the first 34 speakers expressed support, St. Augustine resident and frequent meeting speaker B.J. Coletti became the first to dissent.
Coletti intimated that the wave of support appeared orchestrated. “Somehow someone — or whoever, or whatever organization — organized this campaign to come in and speak,” Coletti said.
One other participant opposed Andrews: Ed Slavin. He questioned the urgency of the contract extension, noting that Andrews’ current term runs through 2027. “Can we please postpone this to the next meeting and not do this now?” he asked.
Slavin also raised concerns about vague language in Andrews’ contract and the absence of public performance appraisals. He echoed Coletti’s suspicions of coordination.
Slavin pushed back against those who criticized the tone of social media commentary about Andrews. “Obviously, someone can’t take criticism,” Slavin said.
Meeting regular Suzanne Clulow was quick to defend Andrews and denounce the social media content.
“The attacks on Joy have been relentless and unfair and despicable. But what the devil meant for ill, she turned around today and used it for her gain. I became enlightened today. I knew she was a good county administrator, but I found out just how good she was today when all these people came and gave their time,” Clulow said.
Anthony Sangari, representing the St. Johns County Professional Firefighters, praised Andrews’ leadership on public safety during a period of rapid growth.
He credited her with improving conditions, upgrading facilities and securing funds for a new safety training center. “Ms. Andrews has earned the trust of those who serve and protect this county,” Sangari said.
He also took sharp exception to suggestions that the public support was orchestrated.
“People weren’t here because they were told to be. They are here because they chose to be. There is a big difference between an election campaign and a community speaking with one voice. This is the latter. And dismissing that unity as manufactured or political does a disservice to the genuine concerns and priorities being expressed here today,” he said.
Joseph asserted that Andrews was “getting better” since the no-confidence vote but said some key issues she has raised previously remain unresolved.
She added she would consider supporting a contract extension at a later date after goals like the comprehensive plan, tree code and the World Golf property issue are completed.
“Maybe in September when these things are finished I’d be all for talking about this,” she said. “But right now performance is more important than stability.”
Commissioner Sarah Arnold pushed back against Joseph’s characterizations. “In terms of what you’re calling non-performance — this woman, as you heard this morning — has been performing for 20 years. And I think the incredible outpouring of support has been testament to that,” Arnold said.
Following public comment, Commissioner Christian Whitehurst formally proposed a contract extension.
Commissioner Clay Murphy was unequivocal in his backing.
“The support for Joy we saw here today — that’s all I hear everywhere I go,” he said. “That we’re fortunate to have her. That she is the tops in her field. This is a no-brainer to me. In the spirit of open discussion I’m a Joy fan.”
The measure passed narrowly by a tally of 3-2.
Andrews had 1.5 years remaining on her existing contract, and Tuesday’s three-year extension brings her total remaining term to 4.5 years.
