Monroe City Council votes to oust city manager

MONROE, N.C. — The Monroe City Council voted 4-3 to terminate City Manager John D'Agostino at its meeting Tuesday night.

Mayor Bobby Kilgore and councilmen Lynn Keziah and Freddie Gordon voted against the motion made by Councilman Billy Jordan to terminate D'Agostino's contract. Council members Billy Jordan, Debra Duncan, Surluta Anthony and Dottie Nash voted in favor of the termination.

D'Agostino was hired Aug. 12 at a base salary of $140,000. Council also voted 4-3 to not pay his severance as outlined in his contract, citing the city's personnel policy regarding employees having a six-month probationary period. D'Agostino's contract stated he was to receive a nine-month severance if he was terminated between Dec. 1, 2013 and Aug. 11, 2014.

Council did not name an interim replacement and agreed to hold a special meeting in the near future to determine the next steps for the city.

Assistant city managers Greg Demko and Brian Borne will serve the immediate needs of the city until council determines what course of action to follow.

WSOC