South Fulton hiring new city manager as municipal turmoil continues

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The city of South Fulton is now looking to hire a new city manager after the last one resigned amid claims of retaliation and a hostile workplace environment.

Mayor khalid kamau announced the search for a new city manager Thursday. The move comes after Tammi Saddler Jones’s recent resignation.

In a March 1, 2023, letter to the city clerk, Saddler Jones wrote, “I am hereby submitting my resignation letter effective March 1, 2023. I appreciate the opportunity to have served as the City Manager for the City of South Fulton.”

Saddler Jones’ resignation comes after several Atlanta News First investigations exposed a slew of allegations against the mayor and city council, including a Feb. 6, 2023, internal memo from Saddler Jones where she requested councilwomen Helen Willis and Natasha Williams “cease and desist harassing, abusive, bullying behavior.”

In that memo, Saddler Jones said they were “orchestrating an attempt to remove” her. The two councilwomen denied the allegations, claiming Jones’ allegations of bullying, harassment, and a hostile work environment were attempts from Saddler Jones to deflect from the issues they have been uncovering. They allege Jones could not answer for $1.9 million in unaccounted CARES Act funding.

The same week Saddler Jones sent the memo, a federal lawsuit was filed against the city by a former top police detective and the city’s former HR director. The lawsuit claims the city’s top leaders engaged in retaliation and misconduct regarding a former top police lieutenant, Shannon McKesey.

Staff accused McKessey of mishandling evidence and money, drinking on the job, creating a hostile workplace, and leveraging her friendship with South Fulton police chief against those who spoke out.

FULL COVERAGE OF SOUTH FULTON FROM ATLANTA NEWS FIRST INVESTIGATES

• Lawmaker’s warning to South Fulton: ‘If you don’t fix it, then I will’
• South Fulton officials respond to hostile work environment allegations
• South Fulton facing federal lawsuit for corruption, intimidation

A search committee is now in place to find someone to fill the position.

Once they have a list of finalists, a town hall will be held for residents to meet the candidates. kamau will then make his nomination.

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