Darlington City Council votes to fire City Manager

The future of Darlington City Manager Lenessa Hawkins remains uncertain following a contentious and emotional City Council meeting Tuesday night, Dec. 16, which ended with a narrow vote to terminate her contract.

The Darlington City Council chamber was filled with people awaiting the outcome as council members convened for a special work session. After opening with routine city updates, the council entered a nearly two-hour executive session closed to the public. When members returned, Mayor Curtis Boyd brought forward a motion that would ultimately divide the council and spark debate over legality and procedure.

“I make a motion to terminate the city manager’s contract with a 6-month payout,” Boyd said.

The motion passed by a 4–3 vote, splitting along gender lines. Hawkins, who has served as city manager for one year and was unanimously elected to the position last December, now faces an uncertain path forward.

Several council members immediately challenged the validity of the vote, arguing that it violated Robert’s Rules of Order, which the council follows for procedural guidance. Councilwoman Angela McRavin noted that a similar attempt to remove Hawkins failed during a prior meeting and said a re-vote (“Reconsidered Vote”) could only be initiated by someone on the prevailing side of that earlier decision.

“So, yes, I vote no on this manner, because according to our ordinances and according to the law, that is not how this procedure should happen,” McRavin said.

**(Robert’s Rules of Order state that a “Reconsider Vote” must be made during the same meeting as the original vote, or if it’s a multi-day session–like a convention–on the next day of that session. The previous vote was made over a month ago at a previous council meeting. Therefore, this is not regarded as a “Reconsider Vote”. It is a new vote.)**

Councilwoman Shelia Baccus also raised concerns, stating that Hawkins’ employment contract requires a written notice explaining the reasons for termination — something she said did not occur.

“No procedure was properly followed in order to take this vote or even to bring this matter to our agenda,” Baccus said. “It was just put on the agenda and voted on without following proper procedure.”

Baccus further criticized what she described as selective adherence to council rules. “They don’t respect the procedure of majority rule—only when it’s their majority,” she said.

Councilman John Milling defended the council’s action, saying guidance was sought ahead of the meeting.

“The municipal association was contacted prior to our meeting tonight, and we were told, at least I was told, that what took place was appropriate,” Milling said. “And I am not going to say anything derogatory about Miss Hawkins, she has been kind when I ask her questions. But we have a responsibility to do what is determined to be in the interest of the city.”

Other council members expressed disappointment with the decision. Councilwoman Elaine Reed said she believed no valid justification had been provided for terminating Hawkins’ contract.

“We are gonna stand up one way or the other for the right,” Reed said. “We are going to do it the right and live up to the name of being council members of the Pearl of the Pee Dee.”

As the meeting adjourned, some residents left City Hall visibly angry and frustrated. Before proceedings ended, Hawkins exercised her contractual right to request a public hearing, which must be held within 20 days. Until that hearing takes place, the outcome of her employment with the City of Darlington remains unresolved.

Council members who opposed the termination say they are now awaiting that hearing as they determine next steps, emphasizing that the matter is far from settled.