Cassandra Jackson Says Resignation As Tallahassee City Attorney Is Due To ‘Personal Reasons’

Some city officials believe Jackson's unexpected resignation is a result of City Hall's "hostile environment."

After serving as Tallahassee’s lead attorney for five years, Cassandra Jackson has said farewell to the position.

According to The Tallahassee Democrat, Jackson’s resignation, effective Friday, Nov. 24., is due to personal reasons. “It certainly has been the honor of my life, my career, to serve as your city’s attorney,” Jackson said. The attorney will serve as a consultant until her retirement date of June 1, 2024, earning her current salary of $248,767.

Jackson publicly announced her resignation on Nov. 2, and city officials have been vocal about her unexpected exit. Some officials believe her exit is a result of City Hall’s “hostile environment.” The opinions come amid negative text messages from Assistant City Manager Wayne Tedder. Tedder allegedly told a developer that Jackson “lacks the credentials, knowledge and experience with the issues to make a positive contribution to this level of work.”

Commissioner Dianne Williams-Cox said Jackson is a true inspiration. Commissioner Curtis Richardson said the attorney is “one of the best you’ll ever find in Florida.” Mayor John Dailey told The Famuan that he is excited about Jackson’s next chapter. “I’m very appreciative for what she has done for the City of Tallahassee.”

Jackson made history when she was elected into office on Feb. 1, 2018, and became Tallahassee’s first Black female city attorney. Before the position, she served as the deputy city attorney for two years.

As Tallahassee city commissioners search for a permanent attorney to fill Jackson’s seat, Deputy City Attorney Amy Toman will serve as interim city attorney. “The city attorney’s office will continue to function as if it were her there. We work very closely with the city attorney because we are dealing with contracts and any liabilities and public hearings, but all of that function will still continue to happen throughout the city attorney’s office,” Williams-Cox said. “When Cassandra was not available, the deputy made sure everything happened.”

The commissioner said that Toman is an experienced attorney who knows how to keep up with the daily operations.