Council split on removing paid administrative leave for EDC executive assistant; motion does not carry

Council considered a motion to remove paid administrative leave for Carolyn McKnight, the executive assistant for the Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation (EDC), and to transfer her into a comparable city position. The motion's sponsor said the council wanted McKnight to return to work as a city employee in a similar role; however, staff and the city attorney advised that moving an employee between the EDC corporate entity and the city government or assigning an open city position without public posting and standard hiring procedures could expose the city to legal and EEOC liability.

Council members debated whether removing the paid leave status alone was permissible and whether the city could direct the EDC board to act. After extended discussion, an initial motion that included a transfer element failed for lack of support. A subsequent motion limited to removing paid administrative leave was put to a vote and resulted in a split that left the leave status in place (council reported a 2–2 split and no affirmative majority).

What happens next: Because no majority voted to remove paid leave, the EDC leave status remains; staff advised the EDC board must act within its own meeting minutes and employ its established processes to address employment matters, and the matter may return to the council or EDC board for further action under proper procedure.