Tifton City Council issues statement following resignation of city manager

TIFTON, Ga. – The city council accepted Beeman’s resignation by a public vote on August 8th following being placed on paid administrative leave in late July.

Following Tifton City Manager Emily Beeman’s resignation, the Tifton City Council as issued the following statement:

“The events of the past few weeks regarding the change in leadership at the City of Tifton have taught and reinforced several lessons.”

“One, changes in government often move at a much slower pace than anyone would like. Our society’s nearly instantaneous access to information via social media has conditioned us to both want to know what’s happening and want to respond to it immediately. Some laws and policies prevent governmental entities from doing that, even when the organization wants to give the answers residents deserve.”

“Two, any time more than one person is involved in a situation, there will be differences of opinion. That’s the best AND most difficult thing about elected governing bodies. When there are differences of opinions, and the majority rules, then elected officials have to stand by their individual decisions.”

“Three, when you combine the speed of government, legal constraints, rumors and human nature, you end up with heightened emotions that spill over and overshadow everything else.”

“While we are still working through this, here’s what we do know.”

“Emily Beeman worked as the Tifton City Manager until, in a public vote on August 8, 2024, her resignation was accepted by the Mayor Julie Smith, Vice Mayor Josh Reynolds, Councilman Michael Franks and Councilman M. Jay Hall. Councilman Lester Cromer Jr. was not present at that public meeting. Prior to that vote, as required by federal law and consistent with the terms of her employment agreement, Beeman had been presented with a proposed release agreement on July 19, and given up to 21 days to consider it. With City Attorney Rob Wilmont present, the proposed release agreement was presented to Beeman by Vice Mayor Josh Reynolds and Councilman Michael Franks, with the full support of Councilman Lester Cromer Jr. Mayor Julie Smith was not a proponent of Beeman’s release, but was supportive of the council’s majority opinion. Councilman M. Jay Hall was opposed to Beeman’s release. During the 21-day period of review and her final acceptance, Beeman continued to receive her full pay and benefits and will continue to receive them as outlined in her contract and agreement until March 5, 2025.”

“Her proposed release was not based on any illegal activity, but on a desire by the majority of the five-member council to move toward a different vision for the future of Tifton.”

“With her departure, we are now looking forward to engaging a new city manager and working together towards further improving the quality of life and economic vitality of the City of Tifton.”

Sincerely,

Mayor Julie Smith
Vice Mayor Josh Reynolds (District 1)
Councilman Michael Franks (District 2)
Councilman Lester Cromer Jr. (District 3)
Councilman M. Jay Hall (District 4)

Copyright 2024 CBS 44 South Georgia. All rights reserved.