SWFL.io - Local NewsWINK Investigates Reporter Olivia Jean
•8/13/2026
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (WINK) — Fort Myers Beach says an ongoing independent investigation that led to two senior town employees being placed on paid administrative leave involves four specific grants.
The town Thursday confirmed the concerns were identified during a routine review of grants, contracts and expenditures as part of the town's budget process.
The concerns were brought to Town Manager Will McKannay.
The town then placed two employees — Community Development Director Frankie Kropacek and Community Services Director Jeff Hauge — on paid administrative leave.
The employees were placed on leave Tuesday at about 2:30 p.m. and remain on paid administrative leave while the independent investigation continues.
The town says the outcome of the employees' positions will be determined after the review is completed.
The town has not identified the four grants, how much money is involved, or what specific problems are being examined.
The independent investigation is estimated to take a month to complete.
According to the town, the concerns were identified during its routine budget-preparation process, when staff members were reviewing grants, contracts and expenditures of public funds.
The town says that after the concerns were brought to McKannay's attention, he conducted an initial inquiry before placing the two employees on leave and initiating an independent investigation.
The town has not said exactly when the concerns were first identified or who specifically identified or reported them.
The town also has not said what specific problems were identified involving the four grants.
The town says it has retained an independent third-party firm to conduct the review with support from the town. However, officials are not identifying the firm yet.
The town says its contract with the firm has not yet been fully executed. Officials say the firm's name will be made public once the contract process is complete.
The town currently expects the independent review to take approximately four weeks, although that timeline could change if additional information requires further examination.
There are no final findings or report available at this time.
The town says it will not characterize the concerns as specific policy violations until the review is complete.
The town also confirmed that Hauge had access to a town vehicle that had been a point of contention among some residents. The town says the vehicle has since been returned and Hauge can no longer use it for personal or professional purposes.
WINK News asked Town Manager Will McKannay for an on-camera interview about the review.
The town declined, saying the information provided in its written statement reflects what officials can discuss while the review remains underway.
The town said McKannay will address the matter publicly and answer questions directly from the community once the review is complete.
WINK also reached out to Fort Myers Beach elected leaders. They were informed of the investigation on Tuesday.
Mayor Dan Allers and Councilmember John McLean did not respond to requests for an interview.
Vice Mayor Scott Safford said he was out of town and could not do an on-camera interview. WINK followed up to ask whether he could participate by phone or Zoom but has not received a response.
Councilmember John King said he was also out of town and unavailable for an interview via phone or zoom.
Councilmember Rebecca Link responded in to WINK Investigates with a statement:
"Our Town Manager, Will McKannay did brief me regarding the decision to place two Town employees on paid administrative leave. Because this involves personnel matters and an ongoing independent review, I don’t believe it would be appropriate for me to discuss information shared with me as part of that briefing.
Under our form of government, the administration of Town staff is the responsibility of the Town Manager, not the individual Council members. For that reason, I believe comments regarding individual personnel should come from Will or our official PIO.
I certainly understand why this is of interest to the community, and they deserve accurate information. My focus right now is on doing the work – asking appropriate questions, making sure the independent review can proceed, and allowing the facts to guide what comes next – rather than speculating publicly while that process in underway."
As Will has publicly stated, the leave is precautionary, not disciplinary. I support getting the facts and allowing the independent process to proceed.
The town has not said:
Public town hall planned
The town says it will hold a public town hall after the review is complete.
Town Manager McKannay is expected to present the findings, explain the town's actions and answer questions directly from residents.
A date for the town hall has not been announced.
The town says it is committed to protecting public funds, maintaining public trust and providing residents with a direct and transparent accounting of the matter once the review is complete.