Stonecrest council appoints Catherine Turner as city manager after 3-1 vote

The Stonecrest City Council voted 3–1 on Thursday to appoint Catherine Turner as the city manager, ending a four‑month leadership vacancy in the city’s top administrative post.

Mayor Pro Tem Tara Graves, who led the agenda item, told the council that the previous city manager’s last day was Jan. 8, 2026, and that the city had operated without a chief administrative officer for four months and 20 days, affecting hiring, contracts, budgeting, procurement and project management. Graves said the council hired Sumter Consulting to conduct a national search and that the firm narrowed the field to two finalists before the council selected Turner.

Graves acknowledged before the vote that Turner is a personal friend who served as her campaign manager and that their daughters know each other, saying, “Yes, those things are true,” but urging council to weigh Turner’s qualifications. Graves listed Turner’s résumé to the council, saying the candidate brought more than 20 years of leadership experience across government, finance, insurance, technology, manufacturing and nonprofit sectors, holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a project‑management certificate, and has served as president of a homeowners association representing more than 400 Stonecrest residents. Graves then moved to appoint Catherine Turner as city manager; Councilwoman Carmesha Smith seconded the motion.

The motion carried 3–1 after members cast votes by district. The presiding officer announced, “This motion carries three to one,” and congratulated Ms. Turner. The transcript records district votes (three ‘yay,’ one ‘nay’) but does not map district numbers to individual names in the vote roll call text.

Councilman George Turner, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said he based his decision on the job advertisement calling for an “experienced municipal leader possessing a strong understanding of local government operation.” He acknowledged Turner’s leadership qualities but questioned whether her background matched the specific municipal experience the city sought, likening the hire to “hiring a great basketball coach to manage a football team.” He added that he would work to make Turner’s tenure a success.

Supporters on the council framed the appointment as part of a broader leadership transition. Councilwoman Smith called the moment “a turning of the page” and emphasized the council’s vision of transparency and collaboration; Councilwoman Alicia Washington urged staff, elected officials and residents to support the new manager.

Turner, who spoke after the vote, thanked the council and the community, described more than five years of volunteer work in Stonecrest and said she and her husband chose to raise their daughter in the city. Turner outlined a 30‑60‑90‑365 plan focused on stabilizing operations, strengthening communication, improving service delivery, supporting staff and setting measurable goals. She said the administration will schedule an all‑staff meeting and a citywide community meeting within 60–90 days so residents can ask questions and engage with department leadership.

The council also introduced the city’s leadership team at the meeting, including Director of Finance Kisha Franklin and Deputy City Manager Michael McCoy, and invited attendees to a meet‑and‑greet across the hall. The special called meeting concluded with a unanimous adjournment vote.

What happens next: Turner said she will meet one‑on‑one with each council member to discuss expectations and to share the details of her 30‑60‑90‑365 plan. The transcript records no additional formal actions or binding conditions attached to the appointment at the special meeting.