Aiken council unanimously extends city manager's contract after public commentary both for and against delay

Aiken City Council voted unanimously Sept. 22 to approve an employment‑agreement extension for City Manager Stewart (referred to in the record variously as Stewart / Stuart / Mister Biedenboe).

Public commenters were split: several residents and business leaders urged delaying a decision until newly elected council members are seated so the entire incoming council could weigh in, while many others — including longtime business and civic leaders — asked council to retain the manager for continuity. "I respectfully request that the decision on renewing his employment contract be delayed until the newly elected council members are seated," Wendy Collins Gutfarb said during public comment. In contrast, John Davis (a resident) said he supported the extension and praised the manager's role during hurricane recovery.

Multiple council members defended the manager's record, citing his responsiveness, institutional knowledge and work during recent storms. One councilor summarized the tension between hindsight and moving forward: "We've got to move on...I am going to vote to move this along tonight." Several council members acknowledged earlier mistakes in the city's real‑estate work but said letting the downtown properties and other challenges sit idle was not an acceptable option.

After public comment and council discussion, the council voted unanimously to extend the contract. The extension was approved in open session; staff and several council members emphasized the manager will remain subject to the council's direction and that additional reviews and oversight will continue.

The vote concludes this agenda item, but councilors and the public indicated the topic will remain politically salient in the coming transition to a newly seated council.