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Quitman council reappoints department heads, appoints city manager and OKs $10,800 water-plant contract
Summary
At its Jan. 15 work session, the Quitman City Council reappointed fire and police chiefs, reappointed the city attorney and interim clerk, appointed James Lawrence as city manager (one abstention), updated bank-signatory authorizations and approved a $10,800 purchase for the water treatment plant.
The Quitman City Council approved multiple personnel actions and a procurement item during a Jan. 15, 2026, work session after an executive session held under Georgia law.
On motions that carried by recorded votes, the council reappointed Anthony Guarino as Fire Chief and Lawrence McGee as Police Chief, reappointed Karla Walker as City Attorney and reappointed Heidi Gardner as Interim City Clerk. Robby Christian moved to reappoint or appoint the named officials in each case; motions were seconded as noted in the minutes and passed by council votes recorded in the meeting minutes.
The council also appointed James Lawrence as City Manager on a motion by Robby Christian, seconded by Christopher Cole. The appointment carried with three votes in favor (Kechia Harrison, Christopher Cole, Robby Christian) and one abstention by Mayor Pro Tem Lula Smart. The council later approved Lawson’s (sic) contract and salary on a separate motion; that salary motion passed with three Yes votes and one No vote from Smart.
Earlier in the meeting the council voted to update the City of Quitman’s financial institutions account signature authority to include Mayor Zinda McDaniel, Mayor Pro Tem Lula Smart, City Manager James Lawrence and Interim City Clerk Heidi Gardner, voiding any prior authorizations. That motion was approved with the four council votes recorded in the minutes.
On procurement, the body approved a purchase of supplies from Hydra Services for $10,800.00 for the city’s water treatment plant after the agenda was amended to consider the contract following executive session. The minutes record the motion by Robby Christian, seconded by Lula Smart, and list the four affirmative votes.
The session began at 6:30 PM and included an invocation by Pastor Renee Theophille and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Zinda McDaniel. The council entered executive session at 7:09 PM under OCGA 50-14-1 and returned at 8:04 PM; the meeting adjourned at about 8:07 PM. The minutes were later approved by the council on Jan. 22, 2026.
The minutes do not specify contract terms beyond the $10,800 purchase price, details of the city manager’s contract other than that a salary was approved, or funding sources for the Hydra Services purchase.
