By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@thecitizennews.com

An investigation into an employee grievance against Fayetteville city manager Michael Bryant continues this week with Bryant on administrative leave pending the outcome.

City attorney David Winkle is investigating the matter and will present the results of the investigation to City Council.

Council last week suspended Bryant with pay pending the investigation.

City officials are mum on details of the grievance, and aren't sure how long the investigation will take.

“Right now, all [the City Council knows] are allegations,” said Winkle. “They don't know what's true and not true.”

Winkle said he will begin fact-finding Monday.

Police Chief Johnny Roberts, who two years ago was appointed assistant city manager, is acting as manager in Bryant's absence.

City operations continue to run smoothly, Roberts said. “We've got a good bunch of people. They're professionals. Things are working as normal,” he said.

Bryant, former county manager in Beaufort, S.C., started work for Fayetteville in June 1998, replacing former manager Joe Morton, who took an assistant manager's position with Peachtree City.