In our recall statement, we say: “Since Mayor Richardson’s appointment on July 10th, 2025, we allege that personal biases have taken priority over City well-being. We estimate tens of thousands of dollars have been needlessly spent on Interim Administrator salaries and legal fees. Richardson’s recent motion to dismiss the Administrator without cause will likely result in severance payments and negates approximately $50,000 in recruitment fees spent in 2024.”
Since Mayor Richardson took office in July 2025, the City has spent a significant amount of time and financial resources on closed-door sessions and legal action. Based on the City's Bills Paid reports and publicly available budget meeting data, legal fees have EXPLODED. SCM estimates that well over $140,000 dollars of taxpayer money has been spent so far on actions related to the former City Administrator and on associated "confidential legal fees".
For perspective, that's almost a year's worth of property taxes.
Breakdown of Spending By Item (Through mid-April 2026)
Confidential Legal Fees - $46,255
Duplicate Salary for Interim Administrator (while City Administrator was on Paid Leave) - $30,000
No Fault Contract Termination Fee for Firing City Administrator $37,000 (Estimated)
Legal Fees for Interim City Administrator, Investigation & RVCOG Headhunting Fee - $5,580
Independent Investigation of City Administrator - $10,000 (estimated)
Censure of Councilor Paige Winfrey - $11,835
Total (so far): $140,670
Paid for by shady cove matters political action committee
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At the close of polls on July 7th, the unofficial recall voter results showed 510 residents voting in favor to recall our appointed Mayor, and 225 against it. As we await the official, certified results from the Jackson County Elections Office, we want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in this process, whether by signing a petition, volunteering their time, or making their voice heard. We want to thank every neighbor who refused to stay silent, who stood up for transparency, and who took the time to cast their ballot. THANK YOU!!!