Smyrna Town Manager Brian Hercules announces retirement

Smyrna Town Manager Brian Hercules announced his retirement effective Monday after voters rejected his proposed elimination of General Sessions Court.

“It has been a privilege to work with the people of the town of Smyrna and to get to know its citizens during my six years as town manager," Hercules said in a press release. "I am excited about this new chapter in my life and look forward to spending more time with my family."

Smyrna Town Attorney Jeff Peach is serving as the interim town manager, according to the press release from spokeswoman Heather Kent.

The elected Smyrna Town Council and administration are committed to a comprehensive and transparent search for Hercules’ successor. Details of the recruitment and hiring process will be discussed at the upcoming Town Council Workshop on April 25, the press release added.

The Hercules retirement announcement comes about six weeks after over 71% of Smyrna voters in a referendum rejected his proposal to eliminate General Sessions Court for criminal cases. A majority of the council supported the referendum while also hearing complaints about Hercules' management style and his proposal to get ride of criminal court.

Fate of Smyrna General Sessions Court: Majority of divided Smyrna Town Council sets referendum for voters to decide on eliminating criminal court

2 elected judicial officials made complaints about Hercules

Hercules faced complaints accusing him of intimidation and harassment from two Smyrna elected officials: Town Court Judge Brittany Stevens, who presides over criminal cases and municipal cases involving traffic and code violations; and Town Court Clerk Lisa Brewer.

Stevens requested an independent investigation of Hercules through an October letter from her Nashville attorney Wesley Clark to Peach, the town's attorney.

"We’re pleased that the town manager will no longer be serving in that role," Clark said Monday. "We’ve raised serious concerns about his conduct, and we have raised these publicly. And the town has investigated these concerns, and now Mr. Hercules is gone. So draw from that what conclusions you will."

The issue to Judge Stevens was about the sanctity of separation of powers within our government, Clark said.

"And that’s why she has gone to these lengths to protect the sanctity of our system of government, which at its core includes a separation of powers between executive and judicial branches," Clark said.

Investigation request: Smyrna Judge Brittany Stevens' lawyer demands investigation of Town Manager Brian Hercules

Government declines to release investigation report on Hercules

Hercules responded to the complaints by November by requesting an independent review to clear him and prevent those issues from being a distraction during the March 5 referendum.

The town attorney by late December recommended the Smyrna Town Council use the government's contracted law firm Littler Mendelson P.C. for the independent review of the allegations against the town manager.

The Daily News Journal requested public records on the documents involving the investigation of Hercules with Smyrna Town Clerk Amber Hobbs.

"Counsel has advised that the work performed by the town’s legal counsel in response to threatened litigation is attorney-work product and not subject to open records," Hobbs said.

Another complaint: Smyrna Court Clerk Lisa Brewer accuses Town Manager Brian Hercules of 'bullying and belittling behaviors'

Smyrna Town Council gave Hercules strong evaluations and raises

The Smyrna Town Council prior to the complaints from the two elected judicial officials had given Hercules strong evaluations and raises. The council's favorable view of Hercules is reflected in his pre-retirement pay, going from an annual salary of $135,000 starting July 1, 2018, to $201,058 for this fiscal year, based on performance evaluation completed fall 2022, town records show.

Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed provided the following statement about Hercules.

“Throughout his tenure, Brian was a key figure in Smyrna’s growth, successfully overseeing the completion of projects that have significantly benefited the community."

Hercules was a leader in the town's efforts to sell 44 acres for nearly $5.4 million for the Sewart's Landing development by Motlow State Community College off Sam Ridley Parkway. The $215.6 million project includes plans for two medical office buildings expected to be up to 400,000 square feet, 250,000 square feet of retail with an expected grocery store, a 240-room hotel and a 75 townhomes.

'Very high-end development': Smyrna's Sewart's Landing to attract Starbucks, Jonathan's Grille, WaWa

2 governments within Rutherford County search for manager

Smyrna's government will be the second within Rutherford County to pursue search for a new manager to oversee local government.

Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland announced Thursday that City Manager Craig Tindall asked to give up his position to become a special counsel attorney for other Murfreesboro government operations by July 2. Tindall was the Murfreesboro city attorney for over two years prior to accepting his city manager job in 2018. He will continue to serve as city manager while working with staff and the elected council on crafting next year's fiscal budget that starts July 1.

McFarland and other Murfreesboro City Council members expect to promote from within and interview applicants among the Murfreesboro government staff in May.

More complaints emerge: Former Smyrna employee, town resident lodge complaints against Town Manager Brian Hercules

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Smyrna Town Manager Brian Hercules retires