Americus mayor and city council vote to terminate City Manager

AMERICUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The mayor and city council of Americus called a special meeting Monday to discuss personnel matters. The meeting ended with a vote to terminate the city Manager.

This came less than a month after council voted to suspend and investigate City Manager Diadra Powell. Monday evening, Powell was not in attendance.

The mayor and city council went into executive session for less than two hours, coming back with a motion to terminate the City Manager.

The votes in favor of Powell’s termination came from Nicole Smith, District 3, Charles Christmas, District 4, and Daryl R. Dowdell I, District 6. Those opposed were Dr. Terence Clemons, District 1, Nelson Brown, District 2, and Kevin Pless, District 5. Mayor Lee Kinnamon voted as a tiebreaker solidifying the decision to remove Powell as City Manager.

“I have been in support of the city manager since day 1.” said Dr. Terence Clemons. He also confirmed the meeting and voting occurred as a result of an investigation into the City Manager’s department. However, Clemons said he could not discuss what the findings were.

The other five councilors and Mayor Kinnamon said they did not wish to make any comment following the special called meeting.

WRBL News 3 reached out to Powell for comment, she has not responded as of Monday evening.