Cochran council 3–2 to restore city clerk after executive session

The Cochran City Council voted 3–2 on Jan. 5 to end the administrative leave of City Clerk Candace Summerall and restore her to administrative duties effective Jan. 20, 2026, after meeting in a closed executive session on a personnel matter.

Councilwoman Carla Coley introduced the motion after the council returned from executive session; Councilman Lonnie Tedders seconded. The first motion failed on a 2–3 vote (In favor: Lonnie Tedders, Carla Coley; Against: Shane Savant, Trecia Gardner, Dianne Lester). Coley and Tedders then rescinded that motion and the second, and Coley reintroduced the motion. The revised motion passed 3–2 (In favor: Tedders, Coley, Savant; Against: Gardner, Lester).

The meeting opened at 7:01 p.m., with Mayor Pro Tem Gary Ates presiding in the absence of Mayor Billy Yeomans. The council entered executive session at 7:04 p.m. and exited at 8:36 p.m.; the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

The council’s executive session statement said the body discussed matters authorized by state law for personnel issues. The minutes record that the council entered executive session “to discuss hiring, compensation, evaluation, or disciplinary action for a specific public officer or employee” under O.C.G.A. § 50‑14‑3(b)(2).

The council’s actions in open session centered solely on the personnel item listed on the agenda. The minutes show five council members were present, establishing a quorum; Mayor Billy Yeomans was absent. The motion language recorded in the minutes directed that administrative leave be terminated and that City Clerk Candace Summerall be restored to administrative duties effective Jan. 20, 2026, “with stipulations established during the January 5, 2026, Executive Session.” The minutes do not specify the stipulations.

There were no recorded public comments or additional motions on other business at the special called meeting.