Clifton City Manager Doug Kibbey Fired, Assistant City Manager to Serve in Interim

Doug Kibbey, who was hired for the position of Clifton City Manager in 2016, was fired from his position last month by the Clifton City Commission.

The Clifton City Commission met on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. After regular business was discussed and departmental reports were heard, Mayor Mark Staggs stated that he had questions for the City Attorney, who was not present, so he directed his questions toward City Manager Kibbey.

Mayor Staggs asked Mr. Kibbey if he was aware of a particular Tennessee Code Annotated regarding his position. Kibbey said that he was, and that according to the Clifton city charter, the city manager runs day-to-day operations. He went on to confirm that the board of commissioners does the hiring and firing of the city manager. Mayor Staggs then asked Kibbey if his employment contract broke the rules within the city charter, and Kibbey answered no. Kibbey said that it was quite common for city managers to have employment contracts, and his own contract stated that either party can give notice of termination.

Mayor Staggs then asked Mr. Kibbey again if he understood that under Tennessee law, the board has the legal authority to appoint and remove someone from the city manager position. Mr. Kibbey said he did understand, and the board could make a motion if they wished to do so.

At this point, Mayor Staggs stated he did not feel as if he were being fairly represented by the city attorney, and he felt like the city attorney worked for the city manager and not the board.

After months of whispers and speculation among the commissioners and the citizens of Clifton, Commissioner Thompson made a motion to terminate City Manager Kibbey. Vice Mayor Prince seconded the motion.

Commissioner Letson stated that under Roberts’ Rules of Order, there should be a discussion on why the motion to terminate was made in order to give an explanation to the citizens, including himself.

Although emails to Commissioner Prince regarding cleaning up her property were not discussed in previous meetings, Commissioner Thompson said the emails had been addressed, and Commissioner Prince was cleaning up her property as requested.

Vice Mayor Prince joined the conversation at that time, saying she was being pushed to the point of resignation from the board, and she did not have to explain her stance on City Manager Kibbey any further than her vote.

A roll call vote was held, and City Manager Kibbey was officially voted out of his position by the board of commissioners. Commissioners Jeff Letson and Michael Francis voted no on Kibbey’s termination, while Commissioners Mark Staggs, Tammy Prince, and Dwight Thompson voted in favor of the termination. The meeting minutes stated that Mr. Kibbey was then escorted out of the meeting.

According to the minutes, Mayor Staggs stated there were two members of the meeting audience who were qualified for the city manager position. One stated she was not prepared to take the position at that time, and the other said he believed he was more than qualified for the job and would like to be of service.

Commissioner Thompson said he believed the position should be advertised, and the commission agreed. He said he thought Mr. Kibbey had done a great job financially for the city but had divided many of its citizens.

Vice Mayor Prince made a motion to appoint Samantha Haines, Assistant City Manager/City Recorder, as the interim city manager until someone is hired for the position. Commissioner Thompson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously on roll call vote.

Watch upcoming editions of The Wayne County News for more details on Mr. Kibbey’s termination and how Clifton citizens feel about it.