City board attorney Sarah O’Reilly-Evans officially turned in her resignation to the city council this week.
After two weeks of “thinking it over” at the request of some board members, O’Reilly-Evans will leave her post in February.
“I asked the board, and we mutually agreed to terminate my contract,” O’Reilly-Evans said.
Interim City Clerk Mario Edwards said the Board of Mayor and Aldermen extended O’Reilly-Evans’ resignation to go into effect in 120 days. The decision was made during Monday’s executive session, following the open board meeting.
O’Reilly-Evans said she originally wanted to leave her post in 60 days, but they were able to reach a mutual agreement for 120 days.
“I wanted to give the board enough opportunity to find another attorney or firm,” O’Reilly-Evans said.
The February extension was made in the hopes of making a smooth transition with O’Reilly-Evans’ replacement.
“I really hate to see her leave,” said Ward 3 Alderman Gregory Robertson. “She has been great for us. But I understand when there are times to move on. We wish her well and thank her for her service to the city.”
The city council was surprised when O’Reilly-Evans first submitted her letter of resignation after executive session on Sept. 26. But there were some board members reluctant to accept her notice.
Mayor Diane Delaware and Ward 2 Alderman Dr. Jack Varner voted to reject O’Reilly-Evans’ first letter of resignation.
Varner asked O’Reilly-Evans to “think it over” until the next board meeting.
However, O’Reilly-Evans had not changed her mind at this week’s meeting.
“The last thing that came in was the acceptance of the resignation of Mrs. Sarah O’Reilly-Evans,” Varner told The Yazoo Herald Tuesday morning. “That got the best of me. I had to leave after that one.”
O’Reilly-Evans’ contract was scheduled to end in April of 2017. However, Feb. 10, 2017 will mark the 120-day resignation extension.
O’Reilly-Evans said it was a decision she “didn’t take lightly.” She said she has enjoyed serving the community for almost seven years as board attorney.
