The first Savannah City Council meeting of the year ended on an emotional note as City Manager Stephanie Cutter announced she’s retiring.

Newly-elected Mayor Eddie DeLoach and council members thanked Cutter for her work. Several also expressed regret at her decision - including Alderman Van Johnson.

“I’m sorry that you’ve decided to come to this decision,” he said. “It breaks my heart. On the other end, there are political realities that cannot be ignored.”

Johnson declined to elaborate after the meeting.

DeLoach told reporters Cutter reached a personal decision to retire.

“It’s just one of the things where it’s a different group of people, different feeling, different approach, and sometimes there’s casualties,” he said. “And she chose not to be dealing with the issues that we had coming up ‘cause she just didn’t want to be in that position.”

Cutter says she’ll stay on the job until the city hires a replacement. She also plans to stay as an advisor for one year once a new city manager starts.

DeLoach says she’ll continue to receive her current salary during that time.

Tags: Savannah City Manager, Stephanie Cutter, eddie deloach, Savannah City Council