GOVERNMENT Newcitymanager put on leave
provide you and the public with more details, but the matter was discussed in a closed executive session pur- suant to state law, and disclosure of additional information regarding this particular matter could subject the city to legal liability and could interfere with the City Council’s decision-making process regarding this important personnel matter,” Elackatt said in an email. When Jackson’s contract of $210,000 a year was approved by City Council on Dec. 6, he said in an interviewwith Community Impact Newspaper that he wanted to bring stability to the role. “There’s been some turmoil there and a couple of city managers that came and went fairly quickly,” Jackson said in the December interview. “Citizens and the City Council want to
see stability back in that building.” During the 60-day leave, Sedrick Cole, the city’s chief information o cer, will be the acting city manager, Crain said in an email.
BY HUNTER MARROW
Director of Communications Tara Pow- drill Crain said via email the city does not comment on personnel issues. The action comes after Jackson was hired for the position Nov. 30 following a six-month search to ll the role. The position was made available in April 2021, when City Council terminated the employment contract of former City Manager Odis Jones without cause. In May 2021, Assistant City Manager Bill Atkinson was named interim city manager. City o cials were unable to provide comments about personnel matters due to potential legal repercussions, Mayor Robin Elackatt said in an email. “I certainly wish that I could
Charles “Tink” Jackson, the recently hired city manager for Missouri City, has been placed on paid administrative leave. Jackson was placed on administra- tive leave through a 6-1 City Council vote during a special meeting April 4. Council Member Vashaundra Edwards, who initially made a motion to dismiss Jackson from his position, voted against putting Jackson on leave. The exact reason for the action was unclear, though Council Member Lynn Clouser said in her motion that Jackson was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation that will last for no more than 60 days.
CHARLES “TINK” JACKSON
In an April 12 meeting, City Council voted to hire Austin-based law rm DeDe Church & Associates for a “per- sonnel inquiry,” Crain said via email. The rm o ers expertise in investigat- ing employee complaints, among other services, according to its website. After press time on April 29, Missouri City City Council scheduled meetings on April 29 and April 30 to discuss personnel matters, according to city documents.
SEEKING STABILITY Missouri City leadership has been in a state of continuous transition over the course of more than two years.
July 2020: Odis Jones is hired by a 4-3 split City Council vote.
April 2021: City Council votes 5-2 to re Jones, e ective immediately.
May 2021: Bill Atkinson, previous Assistant City Manager, is approved as interim city manager.
November 2021: Charles “Tink” Jackson is selected as new city manager.
April 2022: Jackson is placed on administrative leave for up to 60 days. SOURCE: CITY OF MISSOURI CITY COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
February 2020: Anthony Snipes is red as Missouri City city manager after ve years in the role.
Get a $25 signing bonus without breaking a sweat.
Student Checking
that fits you to a
At Trustmark, you don’t have to be an athlete to get a signing bonus. In fact, we’ll give you $25 just for opening your Student Checking account. There’s no monthly maintenance fee, plus, you can access your money anytime, anywhere with mobile banking. Learn more at trustmark.com/studentchecking.
Disclosures: Minimum $50 deposit required to open. To receive the $25 credit, the Student Checking account must be opened between March 21 - June 30, 2022, remain open for 30 days and have a balance greater than $0.00 at the time of the credit. The $25 credit will be deposited into the account on the next business day after 30 days from the date of account opening. Limit of one $25 credit per account.
11
SUGAR LAND MISSOURI CITY EDITION • MAY 2022
Powered by FlippingBook