The East Point City Council Imposes Administrative Leave On City Manager Redmond Jones: Council To Investigate Several Thousand Dollars In Reported Over-payments To Jones

East Point City Manager Redmond Jones was placed on administrative leave at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. The council unanimously voted to take the action following allegations that Jones was overpaid thousands of dollars by the city through its car allowance contract with him.

The city council will also investigate several thousand dollars in overtime pay that the council suspects was issued to Jones improperly.

As a salaried employee Jones, who earns an annual salary of around $200,000, is not typically eligible for overtime pay.

Open records distributed by The Georgia Accountability Project, an anonymous public advocacy group, helped spur the council’s action and investigation. The organization last week reported that Jones was issued twice his $500 monthly car allowance for several months and that he was also issued about $6,000 in overtime pay.

The city council has demanded Jones repay any monies he may have been overpaid.

Earlier in the summer, controversy arose over the city’s budget, including reports that the then-pending budget included a significant increase in Jones’ car allowance, an increase many in the public voiced opposition to.

For months, several former East Point leaders expressed skepticism and concern over the then-pending budget.

Former Councilmembers Greg Fann and Jackie Slaughter-Gibbons spoke passionately at several council meetings in opposition to any car allowance increase, along with former mayor Ernestine Pittman. All three voiced alarm over proposed expenditures and cuts in the budget–including proposed reductions in funding for senior programs.

Former Councilmembers Stephanie Gordon and Nanette Saucier also voiced significant concerns over the city’s spending.

To provide information and updates to the concerned public, Ward C Councilmembers Tremayne Mitchell and Starr Cummings along with Ward D Ccouncilmembers Latonya Martin-Rogers and Andrea Caldwell hosted several budget town hall meetings.

The next city council meeting will be Monday, September 14. It is designated as a Work Session which means public comments will not be allowed.