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Amarillo Ledger

Storyline · 17 events · Jun 2015 – Oct 13, 2026

Amarillo city manager turnover (2015-2026)

Since 2023 Amarillo has cycled through city managers: Jared Miller was fired without cause (2023), two interims served (Freeman, then Hartman), Grayson Path was hired (2024) and resigned (2026), and Freeman returned as acting manager. Combined CM separation costs exceeded $1.2M. The City has not publicly stated a cause for Path's departure.

A storyline groups dated events in order. It is a chronology, not an argument; it does not say why anything happened. All storylines

Where the story starts depends on the framing

  1. · Precursor

    Newly elected council members ask City Manager Jarrett Atkinson to resign

    After the 2015 city election, newly elected council members, including Mark Nair, asked City Manager Jarrett Atkinson to resign. Reports place the request in June or July 2015. Nair later withdrew the request, and Atkinson kept his job at that time.[1][2][3]

    W. Jarrett AtkinsonMark Nair

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Reports differ on the month newly elected council members asked Atkinson to resign.

      Reported value 1[1][3]

      Month
      2015-06

      Late June 2015; Route Fifty says Nair made the request on the day he took office

      Reported value 2[2]

      Month
      2015-07

      July 2015

    • ✓ Verified

      Council Member Mark Nair asked Atkinson to resign and also asked five Amarillo Economic Development Corporation board members to step down; Nair later withdrew the request, and Atkinson kept his job at that time.[3][1]

    • ✓ Verified

      ABC 7 Amarillo reported that the call came after concerns over water meter reading and the downtown catalyst project.[1]

  2. · Precursor

    City Manager Jarrett Atkinson submits his resignation letter

    On the evening of October 12, 2015, Atkinson emailed a resignation letter to Mayor Paul Harpole, the council and the Human Resources Director. The letter gave no reason and no effective date. Atkinson had joined the City in 2004 and became City Manager in November 2010.[1]

    W. Jarrett Atkinson

    • ✓ Verified

      Atkinson emailed his resignation letter on the evening of October 12, 2015; the letter gave no reason and no effective date.[1]

    • ✓ Verified

      Neither Atkinson nor the City publicly stated a reason for the resignation.[1]

    • ✓ Verified

      Atkinson joined the City in 2004 as assistant city manager and became City Manager in November 2010.[1]

  3. · Precursor

    Council accepts Atkinson's resignation 3-2 and approves 90 days' pay

    The council voted 3-2 to accept Atkinson's resignation. Council members Elisha Demerson, Randy Burkett and Mark Nair voted in favor; Mayor Paul Harpole and Council Member Brian Eades voted against. The council unanimously approved paying Atkinson for 90 days after his last day.[4]

    W. Jarrett AtkinsonElisha DemersonMark Nair

    • ✓ Verified

      The council voted 3-2 to accept the resignation: Demerson, Burkett and Nair for; Mayor Harpole and Eades against.[4]

      Votes for
      3
      Votes against
      2
    • ✓ Verified

      The council unanimously approved paying Atkinson for 90 days after his official last day. The dollar amount was not reported.[4]

      Pay days
      90
    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Reports give different dates for Atkinson's last day.

      Reported value 1[4]

      0
      2015-11-10
      1
      2015-11-17
      With vacation
      2015-11-26

      On October 20, Mayor Harpole said Atkinson asked to stay through November 10 or 17; with vacation time his last day could be November 26

      Reported value 2[5]

      Date
      2015-11-17

      ABC 7 Amarillo reported that November 17 was Atkinson's last day

  4. · Precursor

    Council appoints Terry Childers interim city manager

    The council voted unanimously to appoint Terry Childers, a former Oklahoma City city manager, as interim city manager. ABC 7 Amarillo reported that the same day was Atkinson's last day.[5]

    Terry L. ChildersW. Jarrett Atkinson

    • ✓ Verified

      The council voted unanimously on November 17, 2015 to appoint Terry Childers, a former Oklahoma City city manager, as interim city manager. His pay terms were not reported.[5]

  5. · Precursor

    Interim City Manager Terry Childers resigns

    Childers resigned on November 16, 2016, the day after a council meeting, using a 30-day termination option in his contract. He said he had already planned to leave effective January 1, 2017. Mayor Paul Harpole said Deputy City Manager Bob Cowell would serve until a permanent manager was found.[6]

    Terry L. ChildersBob Cowell Jr.

    • ✓ Verified

      Paul Harpole, Mayor; Terry Childers, Interim City Manager: Childers's contract let either party end it with 30 days' notice. Mayor Harpole said Childers asked the City to accept that option, and Childers said he had already planned to resign effective January 1, 2017.[6]

    • ✓ Verified

      Mayor Harpole said Deputy City Manager Bob Cowell would serve until a permanent replacement was found and that he would ask the council to confirm Cowell at its next meeting.[6]

  6. · Precursor

    Deputy City Manager Bob Cowell becomes interim city manager

    Bob Cowell, the deputy city manager, was appointed interim city manager after Childers left. He served until Jared Miller was selected in January 2017, and he was a finalist for the permanent job.[7][6][8]

    Bob Cowell Jr.

    • ✓ Verified

      The Amarillo Pioneer reported on November 23, 2016 that Cowell had been appointed interim city manager. No fetched source gives the vote or the exact effective date.[7]

    • ✓ Verified

      Cowell was a finalist for the permanent job; Jared Miller, selected in January 2017, took over from him.[8]

  7. · Context

    Jared Miller selected as city manager

    Council selects Jared Miller, then city manager of San Marcos, as Amarillo's city manager, to begin serving Feb. 20, 2017. He succeeds interim City Manager Bob Cowell.[8][9]

    Jared Miller

  8. · Precursor

    Council approves an amended employment agreement for City Manager Jared Miller, 4-1

    At a special meeting about a month before the May 6, 2023 city election, the council voted 4-1 to approve City Manager Jared Miller's draft employment contract "as it is written." News reports said the agreement raised his salary from $294,000 to $313,000 a year, raised his vacation from 16 to 25 days, and required four of five council votes to remove him without cause. Councilmember Cole Stanley voted no. The council separated from Miller without cause on August 23, 2023.[10][11][12][13]

    Jared MillerGinger NelsonFreda PowellEddy SauerHoward SmithCole Stanley

    • ✓ Verified

      After an executive session from 1:49 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on City Manager Jared Miller's performance evaluation and employment agreement, the council voted 4-1 on April 3, 2023 "to approve the draft contract for the City Manager Mr. Jared Miller, as it is written," on a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Freda Powell seconded by Councilmember Howard Smith. Mayor Ginger Nelson, Powell, and Councilmembers Eddy Sauer and Smith voted yes; Councilmember Cole Stanley voted no. [10][11]

    • ✓ Verified

      The minutes list 13 residents who spoke on agenda item 5A during public address: 11 spoke against it and 2 spoke on it without being recorded as for or against. No speaker is recorded as speaking for it. [10]

      Speakers against
      11
    • ✓ Verified

      KAMR and The Amarillo Pioneer reported that the approved agreement raised Miller's salary from $294,000 to $313,000 a year (KAMR said the increase was based on 2022 CPI of 6.57%), raised his vacation from 16 to 25 days, adjusted his auto and cell phone allowances and sick days, and required four of the five council members to remove him without cause, up from three; removal for cause still required three votes. KAMR reported the contract has no fixed term. [12][13]

      Salary before
      $294,000
      Salary after
      $313,000
    • ✓ Verified

      Mayor Ginger Nelson: Mayor Ginger Nelson said "the current city manager's contract is six years old." The Amarillo Pioneer reported she said the negotiations stemmed from a performance evaluation the previous week and that a new council "haven't worked with Mr. Miller, they will have a very steep learning curve." [12][13]

    • ✓ Verified

      Councilmember Cole Stanley: Councilmember Cole Stanley, the only vote against, said, "For our future council, I don't feel this is right," and "I don't think it garners further trust." The Amarillo Pioneer reported that he asked Miller to decline the amended contract and that Miller did not. [12][13]

    • ✓ Verified

      Texas Scorecard: Texas Scorecard, reporting the August 2023 separation, wrote that before the May municipal elections "the previous City Council had renegotiated Miller's contract," including "a provision that required a four-vote supermajority to terminate the agreement." The August 23, 2023 separation vote was 5-0. [14][15]

    • ✓ Verified

      The text of the April 2023 agreement was not in the meeting's posted agenda packet, which lists only the item "Discuss and consider employment agreement with City Manager"; the terms above come from news reports. No fetched source states the severance formula in the amended agreement. [11]

  9. · Origin

    Council fires City Manager Jared Miller without cause (5-0)

    At an August 23 special meeting, council votes 5-0 to separate from Miller "without cause" and approves a separation agreement. No public reason is given.[15][16][17]

    Jared MillerCole Stanley

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Jared Miller's separation was reported both as a ~$767,000 package and, in a later all-in tally, as $891,731.

      Reported value 1[17]

      Amount
      $767,000

      Separation package as described at the Aug 2023 vote (severance $633,726.13 + $97,134.56 in lieu of 90-day notice + leave/insurance)

      Reported value 2[18]

      Amount
      $891,731

      Full cost of the Miller separation in a Sept 2026 cumulative tally

    • ✓ Verified

      The council vote to separate from Miller was 5-0 and 'without cause'; no public reason was given.[16][17]

  10. Andrew Freeman appointed interim city manager

    Council unanimously appoints Deputy City Manager Andrew Freeman as interim city manager.[19]

    Andrew Freeman

  11. Freeman steps down as interim amid a staffing dispute

    Freeman steps down as interim city manager, effective immediately, after a dispute with council over staffing changes, including a police chief promotion.[20][21]

    Andrew Freeman

    • ✓ Verified

      Andrew Freeman served as interim city manager from ~September 2023 until March 2024, then stepped down amid a staffing dispute (including a police chief promotion).[19][21]

  12. Floyd Hartman named interim city manager

    Assistant City Manager Floyd Hartman (≈20 years with the City) is appointed interim city manager, effective immediately.[21]

    Floyd Hartman

  13. · Starting point

    Grayson Path selected as city manager

    Council selects Grayson Path, then city manager of Paris, Texas, after a nationwide search (Baker Tilly). He takes office later in summer 2024.[22][21]

    Grayson PathBaker Tilly

    • ✓ Verified

      Grayson Path was selected June 5, 2024, after a nationwide search, having been city manager of Paris, Texas.[22]

  14. Council holds a long closed session on Path's employment; resignation letter submitted

    Council meets in a closed session exceeding 3.5 hours on Path's employment. Mayor Cole Stanley confirms Path submitted a resignation letter.[23]

    Grayson PathCole Stanley

  15. · Peak

    Council accepts Path's resignation (4-1); Freeman named acting manager

    Council votes 4-1 (Les Simpson dissenting) to accept Path's resignation, effective that day. Andrew Freeman is named acting city manager for up to 60 days; Strategic Government Resources will assist the interim search.[24][25][26]

    Grayson PathCole StanleyLes SimpsonAndrew FreemanStrategic Government Resources

    • ✓ Verified

      Grayson Path's separation cost was $342,265.[18]

      Amount
      $342,265
      Salary 12mo
      $294,000
      Accrued leave
      $29,000
      Health insurance
      $14,500
      Other
      $5,000
    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Path's annual salary is reported as $291,000 (ABC7) / ~$294,000 (12-month severance basis, Tribune).

      Reported value 1[25]

      Amount
      $291,000

      Reported value 2[18]

      Amount
      $294,000

      Implied by the 12-months'-salary severance component

    • ✓ Verified

      Council accepted Path's resignation on a 4-1 vote, with Councilmember Les Simpson dissenting.[24][25][26]

      For
      4
      Against
      1
    • ✓ Verified

      Andrew Freeman was named acting city manager for up to 60 days; Strategic Government Resources will assist the interim search.[25]

    • ✓ Verified

      City officials did not publicly tie the stinky fire, water-billing complaints, or Flock-camera concerns to Path's resignation.[25]

    • ✓ Verified

      The draft minutes of the September 22, 2026 meeting, included in the October 13 agenda packet for approval, record consent item 6.42, "Consider Acceptance - Resignation of City Manager ... in accordance with Section 9.A.d of his employment agreement," as approved with the consent agenda on a motion by Councilmember Prescott, seconded by Councilmember Reid, 4-1 (Stanley, Reid, Tipps and Prescott for; Simpson against). The minutes say Mayor Stanley provided further information on item 6.42 before the vote. The draft minutes of the September 29, 2026 special meeting list Andrew Freeman as "Acting City Manager." [26]

  16. Combined CM turnover cost tops $1.2M; other executives also departed

    Coverage tallies CM separation costs at over $1.2M across three years and notes additional executive departures (CFO, CIO, others) in 2025-2026.[18]

    Jared MillerGrayson PathLaura StorrsRich GagnonFloyd HartmanKevin CarterBaker TillyChason Group

    • ✓ Verified

      Combined city-manager separation costs exceeded $1.2 million over three years (Miller + Path).[18]

      Amount
      $1,200,000
      Comparator
      greater-than
    • ✓ Verified

      Other executives departed in 2025-2026: CFO Laura Storrs (retired Feb 2026), CIO Rich Gagnon (resigned July 2026), Floyd Hartman (retired Jan 2026), and AEDC CEO Kevin Carter (separation Jan 2025, $225,000 base through year-end plus benefits).[18]

    • ✓ Verified

      Executive-search costs: Baker Tilly (city manager) $36,382; Chason Group (AEDC CEO) $36,250.[18]

      Baker tilly
      $36,382
      Chason group
      $36,250

  17. · Context

    October 13 council agenda lists a closed-session discussion of an interim city manager

    The agenda for the October 13, 2026 City Council regular meeting, posted October 7, lists an executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.074 (appointment, employment, evaluation, duties and qualifications of a public officer or employee) on "Interim City Manager." KAMR reported that Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Freeman had been designated acting city manager after Grayson Path's departure, to fulfill the office's duties while an interim is found. The closed session ended at 3:03 p.m.; no action on an interim appointment was announced or taken in open session that day.[27][28][29]

    Andrew FreemanGrayson Path

    • ✓ Verified

      The October 13, 2026 agenda lists executive session item 1.2, "Section 551.074 - Discuss the appointment, employment, evaluation, duties, and qualifications of a public officer or employee," with sub-item 1.2.1 "Interim City Manager." The agenda notes that votes or final decisions are made only in open meetings. Its header still lists Grayson Path as City Manager. [27]

    • ✓ Verified

      KAMR reported on October 13, 2026 that Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Freeman was designated acting city manager after Path's departure "to fulfill the office's duties while an interim is found." [28]

    • ✓ Verified

      The October 13, 2026 closed session ended at 3:03 p.m.; council took no action on an interim city manager in open session that day, and Andrew Freeman spoke as acting city manager later in the meeting. [27][28][29]

Related storylines: Amarillo's utility billing transition and the 2026 billing crisisAmarillo police license-plate reader cameras and the Flock Safety system (2021-2026)The November 2024 Amarillo City Charter amendment election (2024-2025)