2026 7 21 Regular Session Packet council

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ATHENS CITY COUNCIL  
MINUTES OF REGULAR SESSION  
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 
 
 
 
 
Page 6 of 7 
 
“Motion to appoint Bridget Roberts to serve as Interim City Manager effective 
June 5, 2026. 
During the interim appointment, Mrs. Roberts will perform the duties of City 
Manager under the City Charter, City ordinances, City policies, and direction of 
the City Council. 
I further move  that, while serving as Interim City Manager, Mrs. Roberts be 
compensated at the minimum salary established for the City Manager position, 
which is currently $120,051.00 annually, or $57.717 per hour. If the minimum 
salary for the City Manager position is adjusted during the interim appointment, 
her compensation will be adjusted accordingly. 
Mrs. Roberts will continue to receive all benefits available to full -time City 
employees and will not lose any accrued leave, seniority, longevity credit, 
retirement benefits, or other employment benefits as a result of accepting the 
interim appointment. 
Upon the appointment and start date of a permanent City Manager, or upon the 
end of the interim appointment by the City Council, Mrs. Roberts will return to 
her position as Executive Assistant. Her acceptance of the interim appointment 
will not be considered a resignation from or forfeiture of that position. 
The Executive Assistant position will be held for Mrs. Roberts during the interim 
appointment and will not be permanently filled during that time. Upon returning 
to the Executive Assistant position, Ms. Roberts will be paid at a rate not less 
than what she  would have received had she remained continuously in that 
position, including any approved cost-of-living or other pay adjustments. 
This appointment will remain in effect until a permanent City Manager assumes 
office, Mrs. Roberts resigns from City employment, or the City Council ends the 
interim appointment.” 
 
Mayor Eaton moved to approve the proposed motion as presented, seconded by 
Councilmember McCowan.  
APPROVED 
Roll call vote:  
YEAS: McCowan, Duggan, Sherlin, Curtis, Eaton 
NAYS: None 
 
 
REPORTS 
 
A. Finance Department Monthly Report  
 
B. Fire Department Monthly Report  
 
C. Police Department Monthly Report  
 
 
REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER 
 
A. No report.  
 
 
CITIZENS COMMENTS 
 
• Glenn Whiting commented on the dismissal of City Manager Dowling 
• Elise Howell thanked the Council for supporting the Mid-East Tennessee Community Chorus 
• Cynthia McCowan commented on the decrease in funding for The Arts Council and the 
dismissal of the City Manager  
• Juanita McClure-Lewis commented on the former North City School property and using it as 
a park. 
 
 
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