Jared Miller/Photo by Noah Dawson
A special meeting of Amarillo City Council has been called for Wednesday, August 23rd, to consider a separation agreement with City Manager Jared Miller.
The announcement follows a two-day executive session meeting held earlier this week to “discuss the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal” of the city manager. In response to these executive session discussions, during the regular meeting held on Tuesday, August 15th, former councilmen Howard Smith and Eddy Sauer spoke during public comment in support of keeping Miller.
Miller was hired by the city in 2017 shortly before Ginger Nelson was first elected mayor. Since then, Miller has become one of the most divisive figures in City Hall. Tensions came to a head when Nelson and council renegotiated Miller’s contract weeks before this year’s May election. Then-councilman Cole Stanley, who was elected mayor in a record-breaking landslide on May 6th, was the sole vote against the amended contract. Stanley wasn’t alone in expressing his concerns, however. All four new councilmembers elected this year also expressed concerns about the process.
While Miller has been a controversial figure, the city has not yet announced any specific reason for or details regarding the separation agreement. According to the agenda, “the city council may convene in Executive Session” for discussion of the item. However, any final votes will be made in an open session.
If a separation agreement is approved, the council will then “discuss appointment of interim city manager.”
Details about the special meeting, including the full agenda, can be found here. Those interested in speaking during the meeting may sign up here.