“I just want to say that I am so grateful that this city chose me to be your next city manager,” Jones said at the Dec. 5 City Council meeting. “Just the oath that I took to God, that says I’m going to give everything I have to this city to continue to move it forward and continue to achieve wonderful accomplishments.’”
Jones' hiring comes six months after former City Manager Charles Jackson was fired in May with cause by a unanimous vote of the City Council. Sedrick Cole, the city’s chief information officer, had filled in as interim city manager in Jackson’s absence. Cole was recognized during the Dec. 5 meeting by the City Council for his dedication to the role.
Jones, formerly the city manager of Portsmouth, Virginia, was fired from her position in May after a contentious 4-3 vote and recently initiated a $5.35 million wrongful termination suit against the city, according to news reports from The Virginian-Pilot.
“There’s been a lot of discussion and dialogue, and I really feel confident that the city of Missouri City is ready to move forward in a great new direction with a great new city manager,” Texas State Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, said.
Jones was hired with an annual salary of $210,000 and was voted into office unanimously at a Nov. 7 City Council meeting. According to the terms of her contract, the City Council will have the option to terminate Jones' contract with or without cause. The contract also states that the city agrees to pay Jones a lump sum cash payment equal to six months of aggregate salary if she is terminated without cause after one year of employment. If fired with cause, the city is required to pay for all accrued leave and earned salary up to and including the date of termination.
