New Carrollton, Md. – The New Carrollton City Council is set to vote on Wednesday whether to remove Mayor Phelecia Nembhard from office. The motion stems from allegations that the mayor hired two former city employees during a municipal hiring freeze.
Background on the mayor
Mayor Nembhard made history as the city’s first African American, first Caribbean American, and first female mayor. She served as council chair from 2018 to 2020, was first elected mayor in 2020, and won re‑election in 2025.
Allegations and councilmember statements
According to Councilmember Braina Urbina, the city was under a hiring freeze at the time the two former employees were rehired. “Anyone who wanted to hire someone during that time was directed to ask the council for permission; something the mayor did not do,” Urbina said. She added, “The allegation is that she hired people despite that. It’s alleged she attempted to intimidate the staff, and the only reason these people weren’t given any keys is because the city manager chose to resign, and the city manager resigned because she believed this action was unlawful and tried to warn the mayor.”
Mayor’s response and council procedure
Fox 5 reached out to the mayor’s office for comment but has not received a response. Mayor Nembhard is expected to address the council on Wednesday night. She will have ten minutes to present her defense, after which each council member will have five minutes to speak before the public comment period begins.
Potential outcomes
If the council votes to remove Mayor Nembhard, the mayor pro tem would assume the mayor’s duties, and a special election would be scheduled within sixty days, according to a councilmember’s statement.
Implications for the community
The vote highlights the importance of adhering to municipal hiring policies, especially during budgetary constraints. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting, which will be streamed live on the city’s official website, to hear both the mayor’s defense and the council’s deliberations.
The council’s decision will set a precedent for how New Carrollton handles alleged violations of hiring protocols and will shape the city’s leadership stability moving forward.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
