[This story has been updated to reflect new information released by the City of Rincon on June 6.]

By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

The Rincon City Council met June 1 in a special called meeting and voted to suspend City Manager Jonathan Lynn.

In a press release issued on June 6, the city of Rincon said, “The resolution, pursuant to section 2.28 of the Rincon Charter, states that the City has no confidence in Mr. Lynn’s abilities to manage the city. It also states he has failed to communicate, inform, or respond to the Mayor and City Council, as well as failing to follow directives and being absent.”

The release further states, “Mr. Lynn has alleged his suspension was based on a criminal case he initiated against a city employee. The City of Rincon can confirm an employee is being investigated, however, it is by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and is an ongoing investigation.”

The release said Lynn has requested an appeal hearing and the date for that hearing will be discussed and decided at the next city council meeting on June 12.

 “We have to go through due process. We will be able to talk about it probably in the next five to 10 days,” said Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Kirkland. “But as of right now, he is suspended.”

Kirkland made the point to say that Lynn hasn’t been terminated, just suspended.

Lynn was named Rincon’s city manager in September 2022.

Prior to being named Rincon city manager, Lynn previously was city manager of Hogansville from 2020-2022; and county administrator in Surry County, Virginia from March 2019-January 2020.

According to his profile on the City of Rincon website, Lynn earned both his bachelor’s in political science and master of public administration degrees from Georgia Southern University, in addition to a certificate in management from University of Georgia; and has more than 18 years of government experience.

A spokesperson for the Effingham County Sheriff Department confirmed the department is investigating a Rincon city employee, but due to the nature of the investigation cannot comment further at this time.

The resolution and resignation can be read here: