City Council Moves to Suspend City Manager and Initiate Unbiased Investigation

The Lewisburg City Council held a special called meeting on August 22, 2025, primarily focused on addressing allegations against the city manager. The council discussed various options regarding the city manager's status during an investigation into these allegations.

Initially, a motion was proposed to suspend the city manager for 90 days without pay, but it failed due to a lack of support. A subsequent motion suggested a one-month suspension with pay to allow for an investigation, which also faced opposition. Council members debated the implications of suspending the city manager with or without pay, with some arguing that funds from a suspension without pay could be redirected to finance the investigation.

Ultimately, the council agreed to hire an outside law firm to conduct an unbiased investigation into the allegations against the city manager. The approved motion stipulated that the city manager would be suspended without pay for one month, starting from the date the law firm is hired. This decision was reached after considerable discussion about the logistics of the suspension and the investigation process.

The council recognized the need for an interim purchasing agent during the suspension period, as the city manager typically handles purchasing duties. It was suggested that an existing employee could temporarily fill this role until the investigation concludes.

The meeting concluded with plans to solicit proposals from law firms to begin the investigation process promptly. The council's actions reflect a commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing the allegations against the city manager while ensuring the city's operations continue smoothly during the investigation.