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The former Tifton city manager claims that her placement on administrative leave was illegal and unjustified. She states that the decision was made privately by three council members without following the legal procedures required by Georgia law, such as a formal motion, discussion, or vote. She asserts that she was never given any reason or notice for the action, despite receiving positive performance evaluations, including a raise earlier in the year. She maintains pride in her performance and highlights the progress made in the city under her leadership. The city has agreed to pay full salary and benefits through the end of her contract in March 2025.
Statement
1.) The City of Tifton has agreed to pay me, in full, for all salary and employment benefits due under my employment agreement up through the end of the agreement, March 5, 2025.
2.) The decision to place me on administrative leave was illegal and without justification. There has never been an official motion, second, discussion, or vote by the City Council, in open session, as required by Georgia law to place me on administrative leave, to terminate me, or to enact any disciplinary actions on me.
3.) The decision by the City Council was made by three members, privately, without a motion, second, discussion, or vote as required by Georgia law. The City of Tifton has never provided me with any information, any complaint, any criticism or any notice of any kind outlining any reason for the actions or any negative feedback regarding my job performance. In fact, in February of 2024, the mayor, in an official action, expressed that my annual job performance evaluation was excellent, and I received a S10,000.00 raise.
4.) The City of Tifton has never provided any basis for the actions of the three council members, and the actions of the City of Tifton are not the result of any poor job performance, any unethical, immoral, or illegal act, or any justifiable reason.
5.) I am very proud of my job performance during my tenure as city manager for the City of Tifton. During my tenure, under the leadership of Mayor Julie Smith, the City of Tifton has made great strides toward our ultimate goals, and many community invested projects were initiated and completed.
This 12 day of August 12, 2024,
Emily Beeman
I thought she was a bit too young to be a city manager, but this all seems a bit underhanded how it all played out.
Tifton’s ex-city manager speaks out following resignation (walb.com)