Hampton hires city manager

The Hampton City Council voted in an April 24 special called meeting to hire Alex Cohilas as its next city manager.

Cohilas was a longtime top official in Clayton County government, starting his career as a firefighter before rising to fire chief and later chief of staff. Hampton has been without a permanent city manager since Charles Coney was fired in November after seven months on the job. Melissa Brooks has been serving in an interim role in addition to her duties as city clerk.

The vote to hire Cohilas was 4-0 with two council members — Elton Brown and Mayor Pro Tem Errol Mitchell — unable to attend the meeting. Colihas is scheduled to start the job May 5.