Edmond City Council Fires City Attorney Madeline Sawyer

Edmond City Council Fires City Attorney Madeline Sawyer

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Edmond Council terminates city attorney

The Edmond City Council voted 3-2 on Monday night to terminate the employment of City Attorney Madeline Sawyer, ending a period of professional uncertainty that began six weeks ago, NonDoc reported.

The decision marks the conclusion of a saga that started on Sept. 28, 2026, when the council first moved to place Sawyer on leave. While the council took final action on Nov. 9, officials have not provided a public explanation for the dismissal.

Mayor Mark Nash declined to elaborate on the reasoning behind the vote, stating only that the matter involves personnel. Ward 1 Councilwoman Maggie Murdock Nichols and Ward 2 Councilman Barry Moore were the two dissenting votes against the termination.

Despite the vote, Murdock Nichols and Moore used their time on the dais to thank Sawyer for her service. “I would be remiss to not thank someone for her service and sacrifice,” Murdock Nichols said during the meeting.

Edmond City Council Fires City Attorney

Internal tensions and legal departures

Sawyer’s tenure was marked by several high-profile incidents and professional friction. She succeeded Stephen Murdock, who served as the city attorney for 37 years before retiring in 2023. Murdock is the father of Councilwoman Murdock Nichols.

During her time in office, Sawyer managed litigation regarding a blocked Walmart development and a settlement involving the wrongful conviction of Glynn Simmons. However, she also faced personal and professional scrutiny, including a late-2024 incident involving a confrontation with a middle school student. That event led Edmond Public Schools to ban Sawyer from certain school functions following allegations of threats made toward the student.

Sawyer had previously alleged that the City of Edmond had fostered a “toxic” work environment. The council’s transition to the new Edmond City Center in August 2025 also reportedly caused friction, as Sawyer chose to keep her office in the old City Hall rather than moving to the new facility.

The council has moved to appoint Laura McDevitt as interim city attorney. The council voted to retain McDevitt at half-time for a period of four to six months, with a total compensation package of $120,000, though the full amount may not be paid if a permanent hire is made sooner.

Severance and non-disparagement terms

An eight-page transition letter included in the Monday agenda packet outlines the financial terms of Sawyer’s departure. The package includes six months of severance pay and $27,000 for accrued sick leave.

To accept these benefits, Sawyer must sign a document that includes a waiver of her right to bring litigation against the city. The letter specifies that the release covers both known and unknown claims, though it does not cover claims that may arise after the agreement is signed.

The agreement also contains a provision regarding public statements. It proposes that Sawyer not publish “critical or disparaging statements” without first filing reports with the city, a move the document describes as a way to allow the city to investigate concerns while ensuring compliance with the Oklahoma Rules of Professional Conduct.

Edmond City Council Fires City Attorney Madeline Sawyer

Data center moratorium extended

In separate business, the council voted to extend a moratorium on data centers through June. This preemptive measure comes as city staff works to develop ordinances to regulate the industry should applications arise.

Mayor Nash noted that while no applications for data centers have been received in Edmond, the moratorium is necessary to ensure the city has the regulatory framework in place to manage them if they do arrive. “Without an ordinance, we can’t stop them,” Nash said.

The council also declined to extend a moratorium on massage parlor special use permits. Mayor Nash argued that extending the hold would unfairly penalize businesses that had already complied with new permitting and transparency requirements intended to curb illegal activity.

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