TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) – The Tifton City Council has officially appointed a new city manager following the resignation of Jeff Shoobridge, marking the third leadership change in less than two years.

During a special-called meeting Thursday night, council members voted to accept Shoobridge’s resignation and appointed retired Fire Chief Bobby “Roho” Bennett as Tifton’s new permanent city manager.

Bennett previously served the Tifton Fire Department for 30 years and was sworn in following the council’s approval vote. Bennett added he couldn’t have done it without the support of the community and fire family.

“I feel like I still got something to give, and I want to help and continue to help the city grow and serve the citizens,” Bennett said after the meeting.

Shoobridge was hired in October 2025 and served in the role for just four months before resigning effective Feb. 9th. City officials did not publicly provide a detailed reason for his departure.

He followed former City Manager Emily Beeman, who was placed on administrative leave in 2024 and later resigned after an executive session. With this vote, it marks the third city manager transition in less than two years.

City officials say the appointment is part of a transition plan aimed at restoring stability and ensuring continued progress for the community. However, some residents say the repeated leadership turnover has raised concerns about transparency and long-term direction for the city.

“I understand there is a fine line when discussing the departure of an individual, especially in matters involving personnel. However, when it involves a government official, there is generally a higher expectation of public accountability than in the private sector,” said resident Adam Hipps.

With repeated turnover in the city’s top position, some residents have raised concerns about transparency and stability — concerns Mayor Julie Smith says the city is working to address.

“We want to assure everyone that we will be as transparent as we possibly can. There are certain things we can’t share, for example, personnel issues and things like that. But I just invite people to come to our meetings. Please call us. All of our phone numbers, our email addresses are on the city website, tifton.net,” Smith said.

Smith also addressed questions surrounding Shoobridge’s resignation, saying personnel rules limit what she can publicly discuss.

“I wish that I could, but I can’t. We do have a confidentiality of rent because it’s personnel. But like I said earlier, anything that we can share, we’ll be happy to. I know there’s been an open records request and we’re getting that information for you, but we’re looking for the future, not to the past,” Smith said.

Mayor Smith also pointed to Bennett’s first move in office — appointing Kiefer Daltrey as the city’s new fire chief — as a sign of leadership and succession planning.

“Kiefer Daltrey is going to do a terrific job. He’s been with the fire department many years. He’s young. He’s professional,” Smith added.

WALB has submitted an open records request seeking Shoobridge’s official signed resignation letter, along with his full employee file, but those documents have not yet been received yet. WALB also reached out to Shoobridge for comment and has not heard back.

Residents say they hope this decision signals a fresh start and greater consistency in city leadership moving forward.

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