Cochran council assigns interim manager duties to city clerk as City Manager prepares to depart

Cochran — As City Manager Richard Newbern prepares to depart after 11 years of service, the Cochran City Council voted March 10 to assign the City Manager’s duties to City Clerk Candace Summerall for any period in which the manager position is vacant.

Why it matters: The decision keeps administrative continuity in place while the city completes a manager search and resolves who will perform certain administrative responsibilities. Council instructed that certain administrative duties may be assigned to Council and required a final determination of responsibilities by close of business March 20, 2026.

Public comments at the meeting included multiple expressions of appreciation for Newbern’s leadership and contributions. Billy Yeomans, Mary Pitts and Deborah Turner each spoke during the public comment period, thanking Newbern for his work on housing, parks, grant funding and other community improvements.

City Manager Richard Newbern provided updates on transition planning and project coordination as he prepares to leave. City Clerk Candace Summerall requested completion of Georgia Municipal Association attendance sheets and coordination regarding Chamber event participation as part of administrative follow up.

Council also entered executive session to discuss personnel matters at 7:33 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:24 p.m.; the minutes record the motions to enter and exit executive session and that the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Next steps: Council directed staff to finalize the list of assigned duties and related administrative procedures by March 20, 2026; until then, the City Clerk will perform the City Manager’s duties as needed.