A reshuffling of management in Fulton County government continued Thursday with the appointment of a new interim county manager.

The Board of Commissioners announced interim County Manager Patrick O’Connor is on a leave of absence, effective immediately. Commissioners named interim Finance Director Sharon Whitmore to be interim county manager.

Commission Chairman John Eaves declined to comment on O’Connor’s removal, saying it is a personnel matter. But he downplayed the decision, saying “the county is not imploding.”

O’Connor has managed day-to-day operations at the county since October, when commissioners fired County Manager Dwight Ferrell. Eaves said commissioners expect to name a permanent replacement in March.

“We had to take some action,” Eaves said. “More importantly, we need a permanent manager in place.”

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Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez