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Washington council authorizes 30‑day GMA consultant contract and begins interim administrator search
Summary
On July 3, 2024, the Washington, Georgia, City Council authorized a 30‑day consultant agreement with the Georgia Municipal Association to assist in finding an interim city administrator, formed a committee to vet GMA candidates and discussed local interim options; an executive session on personnel and litigation produced no action.
WASHINGTON, Ga. — The Washington City Council on July 3 authorized a short‑term consulting agreement with the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) to help the city begin interviews for an interim city administrator while the council vets local and external candidates.
Mayor Bruce Bailey opened the special called meeting at City Hall, saying the session’s purposes included beginning the interim administrator interview process, approving a forensic audit process and approving a consultant agreement with GMA. The council approved the June minutes and the meeting agenda before discussing the consultant arrangement.
City Attorney Adam Nelson stated the terms that the council adopted conditionally: the agreement with GMA would run for an initial 30‑day term with automatic renewal and any reports or candidate visits were to be scheduled through the mayor and council. The consultant cited in the proposal was Sherri Bailey at the rate of $150 per hour for 8 hours per week. The council voted to authorize the mayor to execute the agreement; the motion passed unanimously.
Councilmembers named possible interim candidates during discussion. Nathaniel Cullars mentioned Mandi Codi; Larry Hill suggested considering in‑house candidates and named John Barnett. Andy Anderson urged that the council undertake due diligence rather than immediately appointing an interim. Councilmember Maceo Mahoney pressed for a full‑time interim rather than relying on a part‑time consultant and said vetting should be thorough and unrushed.
Mayor Bailey proposed forming a committee to contact candidates provided by GMA and to report back to the council the following week. The council agreed to proceed with the committee approach while the GMA consultant arrangement is in place.
Cullars asked to add an ethics complaint filed by Michelle Chaffe to the meeting agenda; the council approved the amended agenda unanimously.
The council later moved into executive session on a motion by Larry Hill, seconded by Nathaniel Cullars. City Attorney Adam Nelson reported after the closed session that the council discussed two personnel matters and one litigation matter; no action was taken in executive session. The meeting adjourned following a unanimous motion to do so.
What happens next: The council directed the committee to contact potential interim candidates provided by GMA and to report back to the council the following week. The record in the meeting minutes indicates the council authorized the short‑term GMA agreement as a bridge while a more permanent interim appointment is considered.
Provenance: Reporting in this article is drawn from the city’s meeting minutes and transcript of the July 3, 2024, special called meeting (see timeline entries for segment references).
