City Manager Resigns After Complaint In Flatonia

Flatonia City Manager Sonya Bishop resigned Monday night following an investigation into a complaint made by a City employee.

Bishop had been on paid administrative leave since Feb. 13, when Mayor Travis Seale received the complaint and informed Bishop about it. At a meeting on Feb. 17, the Council directed the City Attorney to engage a third party to investigate the complaint. The Flatonia City Council met Monday night, March 3, to review the findings from that investigation.

“The findings did suggest there was a toxic work environment and potential harassment,” Mayor Travis Seale told the Record in an interview Tuesday morning. “It also suggested negligence of duty in terms of the overall job description. And because of that, all parties felt it was in the best interest to not continue employment. At that point, we offered her the opportunity to resign, and she chose that option.”

Seale said the City negotiated some conditions for Bishop’s resignation which include two months of severance pay. Bishop will also have 30 days to vacate the city-owned residence where she lives. She also agreed to cooperate with the City for a smooth transition, such handing over files or other city property.

“There should be no interruptions in day-to-day operations,” Seale said.

Seale said he is authorized to sign official documents on behalf of the City.

“Anything that requires decisions at the city manager level will be brought to the City Council for deliberation,” he said. “I think that’s the fairest way to do it.”

Seale said the Council will discuss appointing an interim city manager at their next meeting. He said the Council will then begin the process of hiring a new city manager.

“While we appreciate the hard work Mrs. Bishop has done for the City of Flatonia and its citizens, we as a Council felt continued employment was not in the best interest of the citizens and City Employees,” Seale said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

“I want to publicly extend best wishes for Mrs. Bishop in her future endeavors,” he added. “I stand behind providing the best service we can to our citizens and providing a safe and secure workplace for our employees. I fully support the decision of our City Council and believe the process to reach our decision was fair and unbiased.”