Jefferson County commissioners accept county manager’s resignation and approve severance terms

At a regular meeting, Jefferson County commissioners accepted a written resignation from the county manager, effective June 12, and approved a severance agreement covering the manager’s departure.

The board’s presentation said the agreement “includes a release of all legal claims or causes of action” related to the manager’s employment and that “there’s no severance payment … but Shannon would be eligible to receive a payout for accrued personal leave through the date of termination.” The package was presented to the board and a motion to accept the resignation and approve the severance agreement was made and seconded.

Why it matters: The county manager is the top executive overseeing daily operations and budget preparation. Commissioners and residents asked questions about timing, transparency and potential financial consequences during a period when the county’s books are still being finalized.

Details and context: A presenter told the board the resignation letter was dated Feb. 4, 2026. A commissioner moved to accept the letter and to approve the severance agreement; the board proceeded with the motion. Several residents attending the meeting said they had not been given prior notice and raised concerns about continuity and the cost of replacing an experienced manager.

Public reaction and next steps: Commenters at the meeting urged the board to consider long-term consequences of replacing the manager, noting a potential learning curve and additional costs for any new hire. The board recorded the acceptance of the resignation and the authorization for executing the severance agreement; the manager’s final day was stated as June 12. The board did not provide a detailed vote tally in the public transcript for the severance approval beyond the motion and subsequent confirmations.