Nearly 2,000 vendors working for Collier County not getting paid

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – WINK News uncovered almost 2,000 vendors who did work for Collier County will not get paid.

One woman tells WINK News this will devastate her small business.

Christie Poling, owner of Golden Gate Trophy Center tells WINK News she received a letter from the Collier County Clerk of Courts, Dwight Brock, on Monday.

“At first I was confused. I wasn’t sure what it meant,” said Poling.

The letter said that Brock won’t authorize her company to get paid for the work it’s done.

“They were apologizing for any inconvenience it may cost me, which would be a big inconvenience,” said Poling.

Poling says she makes tens of thousands of dollars from the county each year and that not getting that money could be devastating.

“They’re a pretty big part of our business,” said Poling.

Brock’s office says they sent the letter to 1,810 vendors in the county. This latest move by the clerk all has to do with his lawsuit fighting the county’s spending policy.

It basically allows the County Manager and the Purchasing Director to buy goods that cost less than $50,000 without approval from county commissioners.

Poling wants to know why she and other business owners are the ones getting hurt.

“It concerned me a lot that they would put me in the middle of something that really didn’t have a lot to do with me as a vendor,” said Poling.

In an email to WINK News, county staff says it’s aware the letter has been sent to vendors and staff is working on a response for them.