Columbus city manager sets his retirement date — and answers whether he’ll run for mayor
Isaiah Hugley, the first Black city manager and longest-serving city or county manager in the history of Columbus and Muscogee County, plans to retire at the end of next year.
Hugley confirmed the news in an interview Thursday with the Ledger-Enquirer.
When he retires Dec. 31, 2025, from the Columbus Consolidated Government, Hugley will have worked 41 years for CCG, including 20 years as city manager.
Hugley, 67, said he entered CCG’s Deferred Retirement Option Plan two years ago. The plan allows eligible employees (who are at least age 65 with 30 years of work for the city) to accumulate tax-deferred pension payments while earning their salary for three years.
“I am at that point in my life where I am able to get the full pension from the city,” he said. “I am at that point in my life where I am able to get my full Social Security without penalty, . . . and so it’s time to pass the baton to someone else who can take it to the next level.”
Asked whether anyone pressured or asked him to retire and whether his decision is connected to the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office investigation of the city’s finance department, Hugley said, “Absolutely not. I filed my retirement papers in November of 2022.”
Hugley said he is proud to have overseen $4-$5 billion in capital infrastructure projects throughout the city during his two decades as city manager, including $1.2 billion in projects ongoing now.
In June, WalletHub ranked Columbus No. 12 on its list of best-run cities in the United States.
“We have a bond rating of AA-plus from Moody’s,” Hugley said. “We are in a great position financially, and I am proud of the city’s record. I am proud of our team that I have been able to assemble over the years.
“In fact, I’ve hired every single non-public safety department head, non-elected department head now in the city. … I see the progress that we have made during my 20 years. And so, when I look at the totality of all of that, and I look at my age and years of service, it’s time for me to pass it on to someone else.”
Those following Columbus politics have mentioned Hugley as a possible candidate in the next mayoral election, which will be in 2026. Mayor Skip Henderson, who was re-elected in 2022, can’t run for mayor again because of the city’s two-term limit.
Asked whether he will be a mayoral candidate in 2026, Hugley said, “Well, let me just say that a lot of people approach me about the notion of running for mayor, but I don’t know what I’m going to do once I retire. I’ll wait and see what God says.”
The mayor of Columbus appoints the city manager, and the city council votes on the selection. Henderson hasn’t replied to the Ledger-Enquirer’s questions about Hugley’s pending retirement.
This story was originally published December 12, 2024 at 10:26 AM.
