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GATESVILLE – Tim Wilson is resigning his position as Gates County Manager.

The Gates County Board of Commissioners received that notification today (Thursday).

 

Per a press release sent this afternoon, the release stated that Wilson “resigned under the terms and conditions of his employment contract with the county.” There was no mention within the press release as to why Wilson chose to resign.

According to that contract, which was agreed upon by both parties on March 25, 2021, Wilson was hired to an initial term of three years, which “shall be automatically annually renewed thereafter upon its anniversary date unless notice to terminate the agreement is given by the employer [the county] at least six months prior to the renewal date or in the event the employee [Wilson] would voluntarily submit his resignation in which case he would be required to give the county a 30 day notice, or such shorter or greater time period as may be mutually agreed to by both the employer and the employee.”

The press release stated that Wilson’s last day of employment with Gates County will be Feb. 10.

Because his resignation is voluntary, Wilson is not eligible to severance pay or paid health insurance at the end of employment, as outlined in his contract. However, he will be paid for any unused leave time.

“The [Board of Commissioners] Chair and all Board members thank Mr. Wilson for his service to the county and wish him the best in all his future endeavors,” the press release stated.

Wilson was hired with an annual base salary of $95,000. His contract called for a $5,000 salary increase on the first anniversary of his hiring date.

His time with the county came very close to ending on Oct. 19, 2022. There, during a regularly scheduled meeting of the board, Commissioner Jonathan Craddock made a motion calling for the immediate termination of Wilson’s employment contract based on what Craddock termed as “insubordination and the lack of performing his [Wilson] duties.” That motion was properly seconded by Commissioner Ray Freeman, but before a vote could be taken, Freeman suffered a medical emergency, which prompted an unexpected end to the meeting.

At the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 16, the commissioners entered into a closed session, citing “attorney-client privilege” and “personnel” as the reasons.

Just under an hour later, the board emerged from their closed-door session.

“We have a motion on the floor from our regular meeting held Oct. 19. Is there any discussion about that motion,” Commission Chair Dr. Althea Riddick inquired of her colleagues.

“As a result of the closed session discussion among all commissioners, I will rescind my prior motion [made] at the Oct. 19 meeting,” Craddock stated.

“The motion is rescinded,” Riddick ruled.

When asked in an email sent Nov. 17 by this newspaper as to the reason why he opted to withdraw his motion, Craddock stated, “Thank you for reaching out, but because of attorney client privilege I have no comments.”