Townsend city manager placed on administrative leave

Townsend officials have placed City Manager Danny Williamson on paid administrative leave, but have not announced a reason. Statements obtained by The Daily Times indicate he has been on leave since at least April 22.

Townsend staff have provided files on Williamson to the office of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.

In a statement provided to The Daily Times April 22, Townsend Mayor Don Prater confirmed Williamson was on administrative leave.

“This is a personnel matter and we cannot say more at this time,” he said in part.

The Daily Times is awaiting additional documents regarding Williamson, who is Townsend’s first city manager. Then-Mayor Michael Talley appointed him to the position in 2022, saying Williamson had already essentially filled the role without certain powers allotted to the position.

Williamson was last seen by The Daily Times staff in a March 28 budget workshop, when he discussed reducing his hours later in the year in anticipation of his eventual retirement.