Most of the invoices submitted by former Bradenton Beach city attorney Ricinda Perry after her resignation remain under review.
According to city audit documents, Perry, who resigned last September, submitted $167,674 in invoices for January-September 2025 services, all in one bulk bill.
The nine-month statement went under review by the city commission in February.
But city commissioners on Feb. 19 directed city attorney Erica Augello to authorize payment to Perry only for the September bill of $23,782 and to invite negotiation on the other fees due to concerns about discrepancies, including billing for meetings on dates when staff was not working, hours for a day exceeding 24 hours and storm-related services billed above an agreed rate.
Perry’s invoices reflect two billing rates: $220 per hour for general legal services and $150 per hour for certain hurricane and building department services.
In a January 2025 billing narrative, Perry wrote, “Upon notice on 1/22 by D. Cushing that he was quitting, I was asked by Mayor Chappie and the hurricane recovery team to fill in and keep the building department open.”
She added, “As a courtesy to the City of Bradenton Beach, I have reduced my hourly rate of $220 to $150 for this work.”
A spreadsheet for the city audit includes written notations beside some billing entries. Several are marked “Storm — should be billed @$150,” referencing the reduced hourly rate.
During the discussion Feb. 19, Commissioner Scott Bear referenced an invoice entry reflecting 26.1 hours billed in a single day.
Commissioner Ralph Cole cautioned against assuming intent. “We have to make sure that it’s not a typo on the invoice … someone hit a wrong button,” he said.
During public comment at the meeting, resident Evelyn Stob said a city attorney should “stick to legal matters” only.
Another resident, Elayne Armaniaco, said, “I think accountability is super important. If an invoice is supposed to happen monthly, then it should be monthly.”
Armaniaco lives in the Pines Trailer Park, which sustained significant storm damage in 2024.
The Islander Feb. 25 reached out by phone to city treasurer Shayne Thompson, who declined to comment.
Augello was contacted Feb. 26 and Feb. 27 seeking clarifications and updates. As of Feb. 27, no final payment determination had been announced.
Perry was texted Feb. 27, but as of presstime for The Islander for the March 4 issue, there was no reply.