Board votes to disengage county manager and name James Brown interim county manager with prorated supplement

After an executive session on personnel matters the Newton County Board of Commissioners voted on two personnel actions March 4: to disengage from Harold Cooper and to designate James Brown as interim county manager with an annual salary supplement of $16,995, to be paid on a prorated basis during his interim service.

The board first voted to end Harold Cooper’s employment (motion by Commissioner Lindsey; second by Commissioner Stan Edwards). The motion carried 4-1. The transcript does not attribute individual yes/no votes beyond the roll calls recorded at the time; the board chair announced the motion passed 4-1.

The board then moved to formally designate James Brown as interim county manager and to provide a prorated salary supplement of $16,995 during his interim service (motion by Commissioner Stan Edwards; second by Commissioner Karen Lindsey). That motion also passed 4-1.

Commissioners offered brief remarks in the public record after the executive session. Several members described the decisions as difficult; Commissioner Hazel Long said she had not received prior notice about the supplement amount and asked for more discussion, while other commissioners noted the action was taken under county policy. County legal counsel framed the disengagement recommendation and the interim designation in the context of county policy and the terms of employment contracts. The transcript does not include written severance terms or the full employment contract language; the board directed staff to implement the actions in accordance with policy and applicable contract provisions.