Mayor Cal Doty is calling for the resignation of City Manager Todd Smith, saying the town needs a change in leadership after more than a decade under Smith’s administration.
Doty told Radio Greeneville News that while he appreciates Smith’s years of service, he believes it is time for new direction in the position. Doty has placed the matter on the agenda for next week’s Greeneville City Council meeting.
“This request is not being made lightly,” Doty said in a written statement. “There have been many issues during my three years as Greeneville’s mayor that have impacted the thought process which has led me to make this decision.”
Doty said he will explain his reasons for the request during council meeting, which begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, in the G. Thomas Love Board Room at the Greeneville Energy Authority building.
Smith was hired in 2011 when Greeneville moved from a mayor-led form of government to a system headed by a city administrator, later renamed city manager in 2023. The role carries responsibility for the town’s daily operations and reports to the City Council.
The item was added to the agenda at the request of Mayor Doty.
Greeneville’s Town Charter establishes the duties of the City Manager, as well as the process for hiring and firing. The charter says that the City Manager can be removed by a majority vote of the City Council. Greeneville has four council members, with Mayor Doty breaking any tie votes.
Smith was recently recognized at the state level for his leadership in municipal government. In July, Gov. Bill Lee appointed him to the Governor’s Homeland Security Council, representing Tennessee’s city mayors and managers. In a formal letter of appointment, Lee called Smith’s qualifications “exceptional among the number of nominees who expressed interest” and cited his years of service in municipal government and the Air Force National Guard.
The Homeland Security Council works with the Office of Homeland Security to plan and direct statewide security initiatives in coordination with local, state and federal partners.
The City Council’s agenda for Tuesday lists “consideration to request resignation from City Manager Todd Smith” as its first item under new business. Other agenda items include an update from the Roby Theater Committee, a bid for bat removal at the Roby Adult Center, and a resolution establishing a policy for filling vacancies on town and joint boards and commissions.
Statement by Greeneville Mayor Cal Doty:
“I, Cal Doty, Mayor of Greeneville, Tennessee, am formally requesting the resignation of Town Manager of Greeneville, Tennessee, Mr. Todd Smith.
While I appreciate his years of service to the Town of Greeneville, I think the time has come that a change in leadership is needed and is appropriate.
This request is not being made lightly. There have been many issues during my three years as Greeneville’s Mayor that have impacted the thought process which has led me to make this decision. During these past three years, I have tried to help Todd grow in his position as Town Manager but do not feel I have been able to make an impact.
I will provide my reasons at that meeting. I will be putting this item on the agenda for our next Council meeting, August 19, 2025.”
AGENDA
TOWN OF GREENEVILLE
City Council Regular Session
Greeneville City Council
G. Thomas Love Board Room
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
4:00 PM
9. Adjourn
Relevant section of the Town Charter is below.
PRIVATE CHAPTER NO. 3
SENATE BILL NO. 1541
By Southerland
Substituted for: House Bill No. 1549
By Hawk
(2) To make recommendations to the City Council for improving the quality and quantity of public services to be rendered by the officers and employees to the inhabitants of the town;
(3) To appoint and, when deemed necessary for the good of the service, discipline, suspend, or remove all city employees and appointive officers provided for by or under this charter, subject to the provisions of Chapter 179 of the Private Acts of 1953, as amended, “Civil Service”, and in accordance with the personnel rules adopted by the City Council and not in conflict with this charter;
(4) To direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the town, except as otherwise provided by this charter or by law;
(5) To attend all City Council meetings and have the right to take part in discussion, but may not vote;
(6) To see that all laws, provisions of this charter and acts of the City Council, subject to enforcement by the city manager or by officers subject to his direction and supervision, are faithfully executed;
(7) To prepare and submit the annual budget and an annual capital budget update to the City Council at the appropriate time;
(8) To submit to the City Council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the town as of the end of each month and at the end of the fiscal year;
(9) To make such other reports as the City Council may require concerning the operations of city departments, offices, and agencies subject to the city manager’s direction and supervision; and
City Council.
