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Villa Rica council approves charter amendment altering city manager hiring and removal process
Summary
After hours of debate, the Villa Rica City Council unanimously approved a resolution to submit a charter amendment that clarifies the city manager’s appointment and removal process, giving the mayor a formal role in presenting candidates while preserving council confirmation and requiring clearer, written recruitment participation.
The Villa Rica City Council on March 10 approved a resolution to amend the city charter’s language on hiring and firing the city manager, following an extended discussion about how the mayor and council should participate in recruiting, vetting and termination.
Under the draft language the council approved, the mayor would present a candidate for city manager "subject to review and consultation with the council," and three council members would confirm a candidate. The charter revision also preserves a requirement that four members of the governing body be necessary to remove a city manager; the mayor would have a vote in that removal action.
Mayor (name not given) said the intent is to make the city manager’s accountability explicit. "The manager works at the pleasure of the mayor and council," she said, arguing the wording clarifies that the manager serves the entire governing body and that the mayor should be part of recruitment and have a meaningful vote in an outcome. She added she would be willing to meet with colleagues and outside counsel to craft precise language for the bill to send to the state legislature.
Several council members pressed for clearer, written language ensuring the council’s role in recruitment and the likely use of a professional search consultant. Councilman Montahan said the council needs firm guarantees that the governing body will have a voice in vetting candidates and recommended language allowing the council to present candidates if the mayor fails to do so within a set time. Councilwoman Conte said she wants the selection process to be carried out by a consultant the council endorses so the search is professional and not controlled by a single individual.
Attorney Smith said staff would draft revised language that incorporates the council’s instructions and return it to the council; the resolution passed unanimously and will be forwarded to the city’s legislative delegation for a local act. Council members were told the state legislators can prepare and file the local bill quickly; if approved and signed by the governor it could take effect when stipulated in the enacted legislation.
Why it matters: The change responds to a 2024 state-level amendment that altered mayoral and council authority. The new wording is intended to prevent future governance problems by spelling out how the mayor and council collaborate on recruitment and by clarifying the voting threshold for dismissal.
What comes next: Attorney Smith will prepare a final exhibit of the amendment language incorporating the council’s edits; the council approved a resolution tonight authorizing staff to forward the draft to the legislature for introduction.
