Murphy's City Council voted 7-0 on Sept. 15 to extend the residency deadline for City Manager Aretha Adams. Adams has not moved to the city since starting the job in February 2024.
The Murphy City Charter requires the city manager to "reside within the city during the balance of the tenure of his or her appointment" within "a reasonable time" after being hired. Adams, who previously served as city manager in Heath, was hired in December 2023 and began work two months later, according to the Murphy Monitor.
Several residents have pressed the council on the issue. At the Sept. 15 meeting, resident Michael Padilla read a portion of the city charter during public comments, according to council minutes. During a separate public hearing on the proposed tax rate, resident Abby Little spoke about the budget, city charter and "leadership."
The residency question has come before the council repeatedly this year. On June 16, the council voted 7-0 to authorize the city attorney to amend Adams' contract "as discussed in executive session" and authorize the mayor to execute the addendum, according to meeting minutes. Council Member Jené Butler made the motion. Mayor Pro Tem W. Scott Smith seconded it.
Three weeks later, the council reversed course at a July 7 budget work session. Council Member Elizabeth Abraham moved to reconsider and withdraw the June 16 contract amendments, restoring the original contract, according to those minutes. Smith seconded. The vote was 6-0, with Butler absent.
The specifics of the June amendments and the reasons for the July reversal were not disclosed publicly. Both actions followed closed executive sessions under Texas Government Code Section 551.074, which covers personnel deliberations.
Then on Sept. 15, after another executive session on Adams, Mayor Scott Bradley stated no action was taken behind closed doors. But when the council reconvened, Smith moved to "approve 3% increase and extend the length for residency for City Manager Aretha Adams, and a 3% increase for City Secretary Kandi Jackson." Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Kenneth Oltmann seconded. The vote was 7-0.
The motion's language does not specify how long the residency extension lasts.
The council meeting ran past 10:30 p.m. Murphy's next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 206 N. Murphy Rd. Residents can address the council during the public comments portion of the agenda.
