Janice A. Jackson abruptly resigns as Stonecrest City Manager, interim assignments announced

STONECREST, GA— Janice Allen Jackson abruptly resigned from her position as city manager on Tuesday, Sept. 20, hurling the city into yet another talespin with its everchanging cast of leadership.

Neither Jackson nor city officials are saying what led to her departure.

Mayor Jazzmin Cobble, who spoke briefly with On Common Ground News while she was traveling today, said Jackson’s resignation was effective immediately. Cobble said the issue was a personnel matter and declined to answer several questions including whether Jackson would receive a severance package.

Cobble issued the following statement:

“As of Tuesday morning, Janice Allen Jackson & Associates, LLC. ended its professional service agreement for city management services for the City of Stonecrest. The Mayor and City Council would like to thank Ms. Jackson for her service to the city, its residents, and stakeholders. We wish her well in her future endeavors.

The Mayor & City Council have taken every step necessary to ensure that business continues as usual with the least amount of disruption. Our staff, Mayor and City Council are committed to serving our residents and stakeholders with the utmost efficiency. The Mayor and City Council will adhere to the process outlined in the City Charter to appoint an Acting City Manager and to address a suitable replacement in a permanent City Manager. In the interim, Deputy City Manager Gerald Sanders and City Finance Director Gia Scruggs will continue to oversee city administration, operations, and finance.

The City of Stonecrest continues to move forward together as we focus on enhanced service delivery to our residents and stakeholders alike.”

Jackson, reached by phone today confirmed that she had resigned, but told On Common Ground News that she preferred not to discuss the details concerning the separation. She said she did not state the reason for her departure in her resignation to the city.

“It was the best decision for myself,” said Jackson.

Jackson said that she planned to return to working as a consultant.

Jackson was earning over $200K annually as Stonecrest’s city manager.

The city had announced in August that a dozen new executive-level leaders were recently hired under Jackson’s leadership as city manager. Last fall, the city began transitioning from contracted services provided by Jacobs’ workforce to hiring its own staff.

Jackson had served as acting city manager under Jacobs workforce before her appointment as city manager by the mayor and City Council in 2019.

In January 2022, Jackson was awarded a two-year contract by the mayor and City Council. That contract would have expired in December 2023.

Mayor pro tem George Turner also declined to discuss details concerning Jackson’s  departure, saying only that he wished Jackson well in her endeavors.

“She took us through a difficult transition and we appreciate that,” Turner said.

The City Council will meet on Monday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. The meeting will be available on the City of Stonecrest’s Youtube channel.