UPDATED 7:20 p.m. May 29

The Henderson City Council held an emergency meeting Friday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. in Council chambers for the purpose of going in to closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

Four Council members were present – Mayor Pro Tem Tami Walker, Catherine “Kitty Gill, Michael Venable and Geraldine Champion – and four Council members were absent – Garry Daeke, Sam Seifert, Lamont Noel and Kenia Gomez-Jimenez.

When Council members and Mayor Melissa Elliott returned to open session after more than an hour in closed session, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded. No action was taken by Council.

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UPDATE 10 a.m. May 29

Henderson Mayor Melissa Ellliott has called an emergency called meeting of the City Council for Friday (May 29, 2026) at 5:30 p.m. in reference to a personnel matter.

Elliott abruptly made the announcement during the City Council’s budget work session on Thursday afternoon. She said she had received numerous text messages regarding information published by the local newspaper.

The Dispatch posted on social media Thursday an email sent by Mayor Pro Tem Tami Walker that was sent to other members of the Council, as well as to Elliott, City Manager Paylor Spruill, the city attorney and the city clerk.

WIZS obtained a copy of the email Thursday, which calls for the removal of Spruill as city manager and makes Kendrick Vann, currently an assistant to the city manager, interim city manager.

Following is the email, in its entirety:

Good morning everyone!

At this time, I am requesting the termination of our city manager Paylor Spruill.

Immediately making Kendrick Vann interim city manager for 6 months or until a new city manager is hired. Letting Christy Lipscomb remain as Assistant City Manager and immediately eliminating the position of assistant to assistant [sic] city manager.

WIZS News reached out to Walker and Spruill for comment; we’ll update this story as information becomes available.

Stay tuned to WIZS for updates.