Tucker’s City Council voted Oct. 7 not to renew City Manager John McHenry’s employment agreement, a step that allows the city and McHenry to negotiate a new contract before the current term ends in January 2027. The vote does not terminate or otherwise change McHenry’s existing agreement before that date. Mayor Anne Lerner said the negotiations are intended to establish a term that matches the city’s fiscal year, which runs from July through June. Lerner addressed speculation about the special meeting, saying it was “not a big shakeup.” She described the review of contract deadlines and the city’s current needs as “good business.” The council also voted not to renew an agreement with Connect South and to terminate a separate agreement with Jacobs Project Management Co. City communications director Sonja Szubski said the changes were being considered as part of an effort to consolidate services within the city. In another move, council members approved a contract with Civic Forward Strategies to provide governmental affairs services at the state, regional and county levels. The firm’s founder, Tom Gehl, has 22 years of experience handling governmental relations for Georgia municipal governments. Council Member Alexis Weaver said Gehl’s experience with the Georgia Municipal Association has helped Tucker coordinate its priorities with issues other cities across the state are advocating for, making it easier to participate in shared efforts. The contract decisions could reshape how Tucker handles management and outside services in the coming year. The city manager negotiations will determine the terms of McHenry’s next agreement, while the newly approved governmental affairs contract shifts that work to Civic Forward Strategies.