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Statesboro council hires executive-search firm, approves routine permits and enters executive-session motion
Summary
Council approved hiring Developmental Associates for a nationwide city manager search ($31,900), approved routine items including an alcohol license and multiple contracts and leases, heard public comment urging stronger garbage enforcement, and moved to enter executive session to discuss potential litigation.
On July 7, 2026, Statesboro City council authorized Developmental Associates to conduct a nationwide executive search for a new city manager following the announced retirement of Mister Penny. Staff presented the proposal and said Developmental Associates previously assisted the city during an earlier vacancy; the quoted fee for the search was $31,900. Council moved and approved the engagement.
During the meeting the council also approved routine and itemized actions: the consent agenda (June 16 minutes and work session materials), a restaurant alcohol license for Celeste Carmona (1100 Brampton Avenue, Suite E), a lease of a 1.4-acre parcel for a non-directional beacon site, and Resolution 2026-33 accepting certain dedicated right-of-way for a Westside Town development. Council voted to approve these items during the meeting; the transcript records affirmative votes as "Aye" but does not provide a detailed roll-call tally with names for each vote.
A resident used the public-comment period to press the council for stronger enforcement of trash and garbage-can storage ordinances, saying sidewalks and streets in parts of the city have accumulated debris. "I just walked down my street... it was just trash," the resident said, urging code enforcement to take action.
Finally, the council moved to enter executive session to discuss potential litigation and cited the statutory authority on the record (transcript phrase unclear). The motion to enter executive session was seconded and carried.
Why this matters: the executive-search vendor selection begins the formal process to hire a city manager, while the approvals and community comments reflect typical operational and quality-of-life issues the council manages.
Next steps: staff will coordinate the search with Developmental Associates, schedule future public meetings as needed, and return with contract documents for items that require formal execution.
