Bill > HB1005

This bill establishes a city manager form of government for the City of Austell, Georgia, by amending its charter to create the position of a city manager who will serve as the chief executive and administrative officer responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city. The city council will appoint, set the compensation for, and can remove the city manager, who must be chosen based on executive and administrative qualifications. The bill also outlines the process for removing a city manager, including a preliminary resolution, the option for a public hearing, and a final resolution for removal. It defines the powers and duties of the city manager, which include hiring and removing department directors (with council approval), appointing and removing other city employees, overseeing all city departments, preparing budgets, and reporting to the city council. To support this new structure, the bill clarifies that the mayor and city council members are prohibited from directly interfering with the administration of city departments by giving orders to city officers and employees, who are to communicate with the council solely through the city manager. The bill also revises the roles of city council committees, the mayor, and department directors to align with the city manager's authority, including specifying that department directors are responsible to the city manager and detailing their hiring and removal processes, which require city manager and city council approval. An acting city manager can be appointed during the city manager's absence or disability. The bill includes provisions for effective dates, with the appointment of the initial city manager taking effect upon approval and all other provisions becoming effective on July 1, 2026.

Government Affairs

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72300