Newton County commissioners place county manager on administrative leave

The Newton County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 during a special call meeting in February 2025 to place the county manager on administrative leave.

Commissioner Edwards moved to place the county manager on administrative leave pursuant to section 11.16 of the Newton County employee handbook; Commissioner Mason seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-1, according to the vote announced at the meeting.

The action followed an executive session that the board entered earlier in the special call meeting. Commissioner Henderson, who spoke during the discussion, said he reviewed the matter and argued elected officials and the county manager are held to a higher standard than other county employees. "I think it's time out for us," Henderson said. He added, "It's alright for bad behavior," during the exchange.

The board first amended the agenda to add a resolution regarding the county manager before debating the administrative-leave motion. The board voted unanimously, 5-0, to end the executive session and reconvene the public portion of the special call meeting; one commissioner participated in the executive session by video.

The transcript and meeting minutes provided the motion language and the vote totals but did not name which commissioners voted yes or no on the administrative-leave motion. The county manager's name was not provided in the meeting transcript.

The board did not state any additional details in the public record about the duration of the administrative leave, whether pay would continue during the leave, or any follow-up reporting requirements. The motion cited section 11.16 of the Newton County employee handbook as the basis for placing the county manager on administrative leave.