Talladega council votes to terminate city manager, names interim manager

The Talladega City Council voted to terminate City Manager Mister Swanson effective immediately and named Danny as interim city manager.

Councilman Denny moved to relieve Mister Swanson of his duties; another council member seconded the motion. After a roll call, Councilman Dickerson voted no while Councilman Denny, Council member Spratling and Council president Sims voted aye. The motion carried, and the council then voted to name Danny interim city manager; that appointment passed with one abstention (Dickerson) and three ayes.

The vote followed an extended floor statement by Councilman Denny criticizing the timing and handling of the city budget and saying the council had been given the proposed budget very late. During his remarks, Denny said the budget was supposed to be provided “45 days ago” and later told colleagues he believed Mister Swanson’s “heart is not in this job.” Denny moved, “I make a motion this morning to relieve Mister Swanson of his duties,” and pressed the council to act immediately.

Council members completed the roll call at the meeting. The clerk announced the termination and then the interim appointment. Council members also scheduled a special called meeting for noon on the coming Wednesday to address follow-up items.

Mister Swanson was not present for the vote; earlier in the meeting council members noted he was unavailable and had sent a text indicating he was in the hospital. The council cited contract-related timing — including an allegation that the budget was delivered late under contract terms — during the discussion. Councilman Denny also said he had been told Mister Swanson had applied for other city-manager positions, which he raised while explaining his motion.

The council did not provide further detail about next steps for recruitment or whether an interim appointment will be posted; the special called meeting was scheduled to continue work on transition and outstanding business.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to terminate Mister Swanson (effective immediately): passed, yes 3 (Denny, Spratling, Sims), no 1 (Dickerson).
- Appointment of Danny as interim city manager: passed, yes 3 (Denny, Spratling, Sims), abstain 1 (Dickerson).