Cochran council extends City Manager’s contract for one year after failed nonrenewal effort

The Cochran City Council voted Oct. 21 to extend City Manager Richard Newbern’s contract for one year after a roll-call vote produced two votes in favor of nonrenewal and four opposed, leaving the supermajority required to deny renewal unmet.

Councilmember Gary Ates moved to bring a motion on the contract extension; Councilmember Lonnie Tedders seconded. The roll call recorded Ates voting yes and Councilmember Trecia Gardner voting yes, while Councilmembers Carla Coley, Dianne Lester, Shane Savant and Lonnie Tedders voted no. The tally was reported as two yes and four no. The council clerk stated that, under the City Charter, five votes are required to effect a nonrenewal; because that threshold was not met the motion resulted in a one-year extension of the City Manager’s contract.

The debate preceding the vote focused on oversight, accountability and staff morale. Councilmember Shane Savant raised concerns about decision-making and oversight, citing recent matters including a property tax issue, annexation procedures, variance hearings and delays in project approvals. Councilmember Carla Coley said morale at City Hall was low, citizen requests had been delayed and the city lacked a clear infrastructure improvement plan, specifically identifying the water system as a priority. Councilmember Dianne Lester emphasized the need for measurable performance expectations tied to future decisions.

Councilmember Gary Ates said the council, as the manager’s supervisor, needs documented performance reviews and that existing email correspondence had not been properly recorded in the personnel file. Savant added a pointed comment about communication and integrity, saying, “we can coach performance, but we can’t coach honesty.”

After the vote, councilmembers called for corrective action to address staff morale, communication gaps and responsiveness to council directives and public needs. Mayor Billy Yeomans said council members must also take a more active role in communication and supervision and cautioned against addressing grievances publicly or on social media. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Next steps: the extension is effective per the clerk’s announcement; council members requested documented performance expectations and recordkeeping be addressed going forward.