Newton County commissioners place county manager on administrative leave

Newton County commissioners voted 4-1 at a special call meeting in February 2025 to place the county manager on administrative leave under section 11.16 of the Newton County employee handbook.

The action followed an executive session called during the special meeting. Commissioner Edwards moved to place the county manager on administrative leave and Commissioner Mason seconded the motion; the board approved it by a 4-1 vote.

The vote came after the board amended the meeting agenda to add a resolution concerning the county manager. The board first adopted the agenda earlier in the meeting and then moved into an executive session. After returning to open session, commissioners considered and approved the resolution and then voted on the leave.

During discussion, Commissioner Henderson described the county manager and county officials as held to a "higher standard" and said, "I think it's time out for us, seeing it's alright for bad behavior." The transcript records Henderson urging accountability but does not specify details or allegations against the county manager.

The county manager, identified in the meeting transcript as Patrick, was not quoted during the public portion of the meeting and no additional information about the length of the leave, investigatory steps, or specific allegations was provided on the record.

The board recorded earlier procedural motions in the same meeting: adopting the amended agenda and moving into and then ending an executive session. The motion to end the executive session and the motion to resume the regular meeting each passed unanimously in open session.

No further particulars about the reason for the administrative leave or next steps were stated in the portions of the meeting recorded in the transcript provided.