The Amarillo City Council unanimously voted on Wednesday to terminate the city’s contract with city manager Jared Miller.
Miller, who was first hired to be city manager in 2017, had served in the city’s top administrative role throughout the tenure of the previous City Council. Before the May municipal elections, the previous City Council had renegotiated Miller’s contract, including adding a provision that required a four-vote supermajority to terminate the agreement.
After a lengthy public comment period related to the agenda item, Mayor Cole Stanley noted that the City Council had negotiated with Miller for weeks about terminating the agreement and that it was not a spur-of-the-moment vote. Stanley also stated that he believes the change in administration is for the betterment of the city.
“This is not what we want,” Stanley said. “This is what is best for the organization and the community.”
As a result of the termination – which Stanley noted was being made without cause – Miller will be paid over $730,000 in severance payments. This includes a payment of $633,726.16, which is scheduled to be made on January 4, 2024.
The City Council did not finalize the details of a search to replace Miller during the meeting on Wednesday, but noted that deputy city manager Andrew Freeman will serve as Miller’s interim replacement for the time being.
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