BREAKING NEWS: Columbus City Manager terminated by council vote
During the closure of a city council meeting Tuesday evening, Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley was terminated from his position by a vote of seven city councilors. The decision, effective immediately, brings an end to Hugley’s 41-year tenure with the Columbus Consolidated Government.
Image: Columbus Consolidated Government
Hugley will continue to receive his regular salary and benefits through his planned retirement date of December 31, 2025.
Following the vote, the meeting was concluded with acknowledgments and farewells from city leaders.
Mayor Skip Henderson expressed, “Thank you for your unselfish service to the citizens of this community.”
Councilor Bruce Huff stated, “I told you when you walked back in, so I want to thank you publicly, Mr. City Manager, for all that you have done. Thank you for your leadership and all that you have assisted me with, taught me, and helped me with for the last fifteen years, so God bless, and if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.”
Councilor Travis Chambers added, “Mr. City Manager, thank you for your service. You’ve been with the city for a long time, and you’ve served under several mayors. I appreciate your leadership. I appreciate you taking my calls. I wish you the best. God bless you.”
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Allen acknowledged both challenges and mutual respect by saying, “We’ve known each other for a long time and we have had our disagreement, we butted heads, but all in all, I think we have been very professional. I appreciate all you have done for Columbus and enjoyed working with you. I hate to see it end this way. But I appreciate you!”
In his parting remarks, Hugley struck a confident and reflective tone, saying, “Mayor, two of the members of the council who continue to support me, let me say thank you,”* Hugley began. *“We have built an incredible team over the years. We have gotten a lot accomplished. We have transformed Columbus, Georgia, and I can’t say thank you enough… To the citizens of Columbus, I appreciate all of the support as I travel throughout the city. And I will make additional statements at a later time, but I would say thank you for now. And you know there is more to come. You haven’t seen the last of me. And so we’re coming! And I’ll just leave it at that! We’re coming! But thank you!”
As the meeting adjourned, some citizens in attendance voiced frustration, with shouts of “Y’all are wrong for this!”
Hugley has served in various capacities, including Assistant Director of Transportation from 1984-1987, Director of Transportation/METRA from 1988-1997, Deputy City Manager from 1998 to 2004, and then served as City Manager from 2005 to now. His termination follows several controversies, including the recent finance department investigation and defamation claims, legal threats through a cease-and-desist letter, and a criminal investigation involving Columbus Animal Care and Control.
While it remains unclear what Hugley’s next move is, his closing statement of “you have not seen the last of me… we are coming!” signifies it is not over for the now-terminated city manager.
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