Jackson was placed on administrative leave through a 6-1 City Council vote during a special meeting April 4. Council Member Vashaundra Edwards, who initially made a motion to dismiss Jackson from his position, voted against putting Jackson on leave.
The exact reason for the action was unclear, though Council Member Lynn Clouser said in her motion that Jackson was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation that will last for no more than 60 days. Community Impact Newspaper asked city officials for more information regarding the investigation, and Missouri City Director of Communications Tara Powdrill Crain said in an email the city does not comment on personnel matters.
The action comes after Jackson was selected for the position Nov. 30 after the city underwent a six-month search to fill the role. The position was made available in April 2021, when City Council terminated the employment contract of former City Manager Odis Jones without cause. In May 2021, Assistant City Manager Bill Atkinson was named interim city manager. City Council interviewed the top eight candidates for the position in November, before selecting Jackson, according to city officials.
City officials were unable to provide comments about personnel matters due to potential legal repercussions, Mayor Robin Elackatt said in an email to Community Impact Newspaper.
“I certainly wish that I could provide you and the public with more details, but the matter was discussed in a closed executive session pursuant to state law, and disclosure of additional information regarding this particular matter could subject the city to legal liability and could interfere with the City Council’s decision-making process regarding this important personnel matter,” Elackatt said in an email.
When Jackson’s contract of $210,000 a year was officially approved by City Council on Dec. 6, he said in an interview with Community Impact Newspaper that he was looking to provide stability to the role, acknowledging recent turnover in the position.
“There's been some turmoil there and a couple of city managers that came and went fairly quickly,” Jackson said in the interview. “So the citizens and the City Council want to see stability back in that building. That's important for the staff; it’s important for the citizens; and it’s important for anybody who wants to do business with Missouri City to see.”
During the 60-day leave, Sedrick Cole, the city’s chief information officer, has been designated as the acting city manager, Crain said in an email.
