The Amarillo City Council voted Tuesday to accept the resignation of City Manager Grayson Path, ending his roughly two-year tenure leading the city’s day-to-day operations.

Council members approved Path’s resignation in a 4-1 vote during Tuesday’s regular meeting, with Councilmember Les Simpson casting the lone dissenting vote. The resignation, which was included on the council’s consent agenda, took effect Tuesday, Sept. 22.

Simpson said his opposition centered on the cost of Path’s departure and the amount the city has spent separating from its last two permanent city managers.

“I just want to state for the record that with the approval of today’s ‘6.42 agenda item’ the city will have spent more than $1.2 million on separation costs for two city managers in three years,” Simpson said. “$891,731 for Jared Miller, $342,265 for Grayson Path, I vote no.”

The figures cited by Simpson put the combined separation costs for Path and former City Manager Jared Miller at approximately $1.23 million.

Path was selected as Amarillo’s city manager in 2024 following a nationwide search. His hiring came after the council released Miller from the position in 2023 and the city went through a period of interim leadership.

In a statement released by the city, Path thanked council members, city employees and the Amarillo community for the opportunity to serve.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the City of Amarillo and its residents as city manager. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the governing body, dedicated city employees, community partners and residents who care deeply about Amarillo’s future,” Path said. “I am proud of the work accomplished during my tenure and of the relationships formed along the way.

“Amarillo is a strong community with a capable and committed city organization, and I have great confidence in its continued ability to serve residents well and build on the important work underway. I wish the governing body, city employees and the citizens of Amarillo continued success and all the best in the years ahead.”

As part of Tuesday’s action, the council designated Deputy City Manager and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Freeman as acting city manager for up to 60 days.

Freeman has worked for the City of Amarillo since 2017 and was promoted to deputy city manager in 2023. He also served as interim city manager from September 2023 until March 2024 during the search that ultimately resulted in Path’s hiring. Floyd Hartman also served in an interim capacity during the transition between Miller and Path.

The city plans to work with Strategic Government Resources, or SGR, during the next 60 days to identify an experienced municipal administrator to serve as interim city manager.

That person would lead the city while the council determines how it will conduct another search for a permanent city manager.

Path’s departure means Amarillo will once again begin the process of finding permanent leadership at City Hall, less than three years after Miller’s departure and roughly two years after Path was selected following the previous nationwide search.

The city said additional details about the selection of an interim city manager and the process for choosing Path’s permanent replacement will be released as those decisions are made.