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The Alabama State Supreme Court ruled against the city of Tarrant's attempt to hire a city manager.The courts ruled that the council's appointment of John C. Brown to the role was an illegal attempt to change the form of government in the city, because the move required approval from the city's residents through a vote, based on the Council-Manager Act of 1982In 2023, the council voted to establish the role and hired Brown for it, citing concerns with Mayor Wayman Newton's handling of certain financial aspects.IMPORTANT ISSUES: WVTM 13 InvestigatesAccording to Newton, he agreed to represent a Tarrant resident, Deanna Ceasor, to challenge the role, citing the fact that many attorneys refused to take her case."I couldn't just stand by and watch this injustice unfold," he said. "For me, this wasn't just about defending the law — it was about standing up for the people of Tarrant and ensuring their voices were heard."Newton's office said this ruling could have broader implications across the state, "setting a precedent for limiting overreach by the city councils and protecting the powers of elected mayors."WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for freeThe mayor's new focus is on moving forward from the lawsuit and working more with the city council."It's time to put the people's interests first and build a stronger, more unified city," Newton said.It is currently unclear what will become of the position now that it has been blocked by the courts. The Tarrant City Council meets every first and third Monday of the month, with their next meeting expected on Dec. 16. This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
TARRANT, Ala. —
The Alabama State Supreme Court ruled against the city of Tarrant's attempt to hire a city manager.
The courts ruled that the council's appointment of John C. Brown to the role was an illegal attempt to change the form of government in the city, because the move required approval from the city's residents through a vote, based on the Council-Manager Act of 1982
In 2023, the council voted to establish the role and hired Brown for it, citing concerns with Mayor Wayman Newton's handling of certain financial aspects.
IMPORTANT ISSUES: WVTM 13 Investigates
According to Newton, he agreed to represent a Tarrant resident, Deanna Ceasor, to challenge the role, citing the fact that many attorneys refused to take her case.
"I couldn't just stand by and watch this injustice unfold," he said. "For me, this wasn't just about defending the law — it was about standing up for the people of Tarrant and ensuring their voices were heard."
Newton's office said this ruling could have broader implications across the state, "setting a precedent for limiting overreach by the city councils and protecting the powers of elected mayors."
WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for free
The mayor's new focus is on moving forward from the lawsuit and working more with the city council.
"It's time to put the people's interests first and build a stronger, more unified city," Newton said.
It is currently unclear what will become of the position now that it has been blocked by the courts. The Tarrant City Council meets every first and third Monday of the month, with their next meeting expected on Dec. 16.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.
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