JONESBORO — Chris Cato is the new interim Jonesboro Police chief after the City Council unanimously approved his appointment Monday, Jan. 8.
Cato fills in for former Police Chief Tommy Henerson who was recently fired by Mayor Donya Sartor. She didn’t give a reason for his firing but told WSB-TV that it’s common for a mayor to bring in new leadership.
Cato has been with the Jonesboro Police Department for 10 years and a lieutenant for three.
In February 2021, Cato was promoted to lieutenant and was named commander of Support Services Command.
Also during Monday’s meeting the Council voted against the temporary re-appointment of Director of Community Director David Allen as interim city manager.
Last spring, former City Manager Ricky Clark announced his resignation at an April 17 Council meeting and went on to Forest Park to become its city manager.
On May 8, the Council approved Allen as interim city manager until Dec. 31, 2023 or until a permanent city manager is hired.
In a June 12 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved for the city attorney’s office to seek out a consultant to help the city with charter amendments regarding the city manager’s office.
The cost to get a consultant was to not exceed $10,000.
In other annual re-appointments on Jan. 8:
— Tracey Messick as mayor pro tem.
— John Burdin as Public Works director.
— Denmark Ashby LLC as legal counsel.
— Judge Keith Wood as Municipal Court judge.
— Judge Julie Kent as Municipal Court solicitor.
— Sartor, Council member Bobby Lester, Allen, Burdin, and Cato to the Accident Review Committee.
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