When first elected four years ago, Brian Smith envisioned himself a long-term Decatur commissioner, like predecessors Bill Floyd, Jim Baskett, and Fred Boykin who served 22, 20 and 17 years respectively.

But in a surprising announcement during Monday’s (July 15) city commission meeting, Smith announced that within the last week, and only a month before qualifying, he’s decided not to seek a second term.

“I love this job,” Smith told the AJC, “and that’s what made this a very hard decision. I held off until the last minute because I wanted to find a way to make it work.”

Smith, who works for a large international accounting firm, said that in the past few months that company’s given him more leadership responsibilities. He also cited parental duties and a heavy commission work load making it difficult to give the board “110 percent.

“Being a commissioner is almost a full time job,” said Smith, who represents district 2, post B. “I look at the last four years and I spent a lot of time, along with Mayor [Patti] Garrett, negotiating with the [United] Methodist Children’s Home (now Legacy Park). I’ve also spent a lot of time meeting with [constituents], interviewing potential members for various city boards, and we spent months on a city manager search.”

After hearing Smith’s announcement Mayor Pro Tem Tony Powers told the Monday night audience, “Taking on this job is a huge commitment to the community. It’s like what one of our former commissioners (actually interim Commissioner, Bill Bolling) said, we are paying our civic rent. We are not doing this to enrich our pockets.

“The question now,” Powers said, “is who will step up next?”

Powers has already announced he will defend his at-large seat and seek a second term. But last month Scott Drake (district 1, post B) said he wasn’t running for a third term, meaning that two seats are open.

Qualifying is August 19-21 and the election is Nov.5.