The City Council came together during the City Council Regular Meeting on May 2 and unanimously voted to terminate Charles Jackson’s City Manager contract with cause. This decision came after an extensive process and review of a third-party investigation, conducted by DeDe Church & Associates.
City Council also voted to name Acting City Manager Sedrick Cole as the Interim City Manager for 30 days. During this time, Cole will work directly with Human Resources to contract an Interim City Manager and begin the City Manager recruitment process.
The City Council took various steps in the selection and separation of its key employee. From the full executive search with background checks, staff meetings and community feedback during the search process for the City Manager to the investigation that ultimately led to a final unanimous decision to end the contract with cause, the City Council made decisions it deemed to be in the best interest of Missouri City.
The City does not expect to expend additional taxpayer dollars on the termination of the contract, nor does the City intend to use additional taxpayer dollars for the executive search recruitment fee for a new City Manager. According to the Human Resources and Organizational Development Department, the GovHR 2021 proposal for services for Missouri City provided that the search firm would waive the recruitment fee for a new manager if the selected candidate didn’t stay with the employer for one year. The City will leverage this option to conduct a new executive search in the near future.
The Council stands together on the decision made on Monday evening. The Council will provide their utmost support to staff as the City continues regular operations during the City Manager search. The City is committed to delivering outstanding customer service to all members of the community.
“The City Council made its decision with Missouri City residents as their top priority,” Cole said. “The Council and City staff are dedicated to making our city great, and we believe working together to serve our City is important—now more than ever.”
Updated: May 3, 2022 at 4:20 p.m.