The Powder Springs City Council is expected to vote next week on whether to change its charter regarding the city manager.
This third reading and second vote will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, in the Council Chambers, Community Development building, 4488 Pineview Drive.
If approved, this charter change will become effective immediately.
The second reading and first vote occurred on Oct. 19, when the only council opposition came from Councilwoman Nancy Hudson, saying she was told this issue could not be tabled at her request until the new mayor and council take office in January.
Not seeking another term as mayor, Mayor Patricia Vaughn said the purpose of the charter change is to offer competitive employment contracts and refuted a rumor that she planned to take over as city manager, saying City Manager Pam Conner is “excellent.”
Instead, Vaughn said she plans to serve as a full-time volunteer with the American Cancer Society and other nonprofits as a way to give back, following her “different health issues over the past year.”
Now the city manager, who is appointed by the mayor and council, may serve “for an indefinite term” and, if removed, “may receive only his salary until the effective date of removal,” according to the proposed charter.
The changes would set a term limit of four years for the city manager whose contract could be renewed by mutual agreement of the city council and the city manager for no more than 90 days.
If removed by the city “without cause,” the city manager will receive “a severance payment of salary and benefits” for those three additional months.
Upon removal “for cause,” the city manager would not receive any severance pay of salary or benefits.
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