CITY OF LYNN HAVEN PROVIDES CLARIFICATION REGARDING COMMISSION SEAT 4 VACANCY
The City of Lynn Haven is providing clarification regarding the vacancy in City Commission Seat 4 and the Special Commission Meeting scheduled for today, September 16, at 5:30 p.m.
During the regular City Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 8, Commissioner Judy Tinder publicly announced that she was resigning from her position effective that evening. When Mayor Dave Lowery asked for clarification as to whether she was resigning effective that night, Commissioner Tinder confirmed that she was. When asked whether there was anything the Commission could do to persuade her to remain, she declined. Ms. Tinder subsequently spoke publicly about her decision to resign. She later announced through social media that she had reconsidered her decision and intended to withdraw her resignation.
Because questions arose regarding the legal effect of the resignation and the subsequent attempt to withdraw it, the City sought a formal legal opinion from City Attorneys Courtney Sinagra and Eric Krebs.
In their September 15 legal opinion, the City Attorneys concluded that Ms. Tinder’s resignation became effective when it was announced to the City Commission during the September 8 public meeting, immediately creating a vacancy in Seat 4. The opinion further concludes that a vote of the Commission was not required to accept the resignation and that a subsequent attempt to rescind the resignation did not restore the seat.
The City is making the legal opinion available in the interest of transparency and to provide the public and media with the legal basis for the process now before the City Commission.
Importantly, the legal opinion does not prevent Ms. Tinder from being considered for appointment to the vacant seat. According to the City Attorneys, she remains eligible for appointment pursuant to Section 15 of the Lynn Haven City Charter. The authority to fill the vacancy rests with the City Commission.
The Commission has scheduled a Special Commission Meeting for 5:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, September 16, for discussion and possible action regarding the appointment of an individual to temporarily fill the vacant Seat 4.
The decision regarding whom to appoint rests with the City Commission through the process established by the City Charter. Ms. Tinder is eligible for consideration along with other eligible individuals who have expressed interest in serving. Any appointment will be determined by the City Commission through a public vote.
The individual appointed to Seat 4 will serve on an interim basis in accordance with the City Charter. The District 4 seat will be subject to the regular election process in April.
The City recognizes the public interest surrounding this matter and remains committed to providing accurate information and conducting the process openly and in accordance with applicable law and the City Charter.
The September 15, 2026, legal opinion from City Attorneys Courtney Sinagra and Eric Krebs, which provides the legal analysis regarding the resignation and resulting vacancy, will be transmitted to media outlets separately.
Special Commission Meeting
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
5:30 p.m.
City Hall Chambers
825 Ohio Ave.
Lynn Haven, FL 32444
