Council considers city manager Teresa's performance amid criticism of communication gaps

The City of Princeton City Council held a special meeting on April 15, 2025, to address concerns regarding the performance of City Manager Teresa. The meeting was marked by significant public commentary and discussions among council members about the management and evaluation processes within the city administration.

The meeting began with a former mayor expressing his concerns about the lack of communication between the city council and the city manager. He highlighted that in the six years of Teresa's tenure, there had been no one-on-one meetings between her and several council members, including the current mayor. He emphasized the importance of regular communication and evaluations, arguing that the council's decision to discuss Teresa's job performance in a closed session was inappropriate given their lack of direct engagement with her.

Following this, Jackie Davis, a long-term resident of Princeton, spoke in support of Teresa, praising her fiscal management that reduced the city’s debt from $43 million to $13 million. Davis criticized the council for their handling of the situation, suggesting that the process lacked transparency and proper protocol. She urged the council to consider the positive changes Teresa has brought to the city, including hiring key personnel and improving city services.

The discussions raised questions about the council's approach to evaluating city management and the importance of maintaining open lines of communication. The council is expected to deliberate further on Teresa's performance in a closed session following the public comments.

Overall, the meeting underscored the tension between the city council and the city manager, with calls for more structured and transparent evaluation processes moving forward. The council's next steps remain to be seen as they navigate these concerns.