Saddler Jones gets the city-manager job in unanimous vote

Powder Springs City Council unanimously appointed Tammi Saddler Jones city manager Nov. 2, removing the interim title she had held since July 20.⁠[1]

The Georgia city’s council also authorized the mayor to execute an employment agreement. The vote resolves the pending appointment in our earlier report on the proposed pay and severance terms. The agreement copy reviewed for this report has blank signature lines; the city’s action summary confirms authorization to sign, not whether signing has occurred.⁠[1][2][3]

The agreement attached to the agenda calls for $185,000 in annual salary and an initial term from Nov. 2, 2026, through Nov. 1, 2028. Two additional one-year extensions would require mutual agreement between Jones and the city.⁠[2][3]

Beyond salary, the city would contribute an amount equal to 6% of her annual base pay to retirement accounts she designates, in addition to other city retirement benefits. The agreement bars a salary increase before Nov. 1, 2027, except for an across-the-board cost-of-living increase approved for all city employees.⁠[3]

It also calls for a $60,000 reserve within the fiscal 2027 General Fund to cover possible severance—not an automatic payment to Jones. The severance provision provides 90 days of base salary for removal without cause or nonrenewal without 90 days’ notice, plus 90 days of continued city insurance contributions. The city could end that coverage sooner if she becomes eligible for insurance through another employer.⁠[3]

Two provisions point in different directions on job protection: the tenure section says Jones may be terminated only for cause during the initial two-year term, while the severance section also describes removal without cause during that term.⁠[3]

According to the city’s action summary, Jones was recently recognized by the International City-County Management Association for 30 years of city-government service. Her previous city leadership roles included Smyrna, South Fulton and Clarkston before she became Powder Springs’ assistant city manager.⁠[1]