Franklin Springs considers hiring city manager

Anderson Independent-Mail (South Carolina)

BYLINE: MJ Kneiser Special to Independent Mail

6/27/2012

FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – Franklin Springs city council is considering whether to hire a city manager and whether that city manager should be full-time.

The town has been without a city manager since January when Bobby Shores resigned after 22 years.

At their last regular meeting, Mayor Lee Moore brought up the subject at the request of city council member Joe Bryant.

Bryant said while the city clerk and mayor can handle the day-to-day operations of the city, there are long range issues that he believes would require a manager.

“Under that heading, you’ve got finances,” Bryant said. “Somebody’s got to do that. Not just report on it, but look at ways to trim it. Revenue sources. Somebody’s got to look at that. That’s got to be somebody’s job.”

Bryant also said someone needs to be in charge of the town’s infrastructure.

“You can’t just fix a pothole when it occurs or fix a leak when it occurs,” he said. “You gotta look at the condition of the infrastructure and what’s coming down the road. Who’s going to do that?”

Bryant also pointed to the future of the town. He said someone has to be in charge of the city’s strategic planning. And he said there needs to be someone in charge to develop employees.

Moore said since former city manager Bobby Shores left in January, the city employees have kept things going.

“I will say this,” Moore began. “As far as the day-to-day operations, a lot is handled by our current employees.”

Moore said the city’s employees are looking to advance their education and certification so they can take on more responsibility.

“We’ve seen what’s kept the city going and it’s the employees,” Moore said.

Bryant pointed out that the city employees are handling the day-to-day operations, but the town needs someone over the employees to be in charge of the long range planning.

Bryant also suggested a new city manager need not be full-time.

After more discussion, Moore suggested the council begin considering a job description for a potential city manager position, but no vote was taken on whether to advertise for the job.

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