Lawrenceville would reshuffle its government under proposals discussed by the City Council on Monday.
The council voted 3-1 to ask the state General Assembly to amend the city charter to create a city manager to oversee the city’s $90 million budget and departments. Action could come during the current legislative session.
Council members also announced they might ask state lawmakers next year to extend the terms of the mayor and council from two years to four years.
The moves could make city government more professional and stable and might save money on election costs, council members said.
Lawrenceville is the largest of Gwinnett County’s 15 cities, with a population of nearly 30,000. With the exception of Rest Haven (population 148), it is the only one without a city manager or administrator.
City Clerk Bob Baroni oversees some day-to-day operations, though only 50 of the city’s 252 employees report to him. Others report to the police chief or superintendent of utilities. Those department heads report to Mayor Judy Jordan Johnson.
Recently some council members have expressed concern that the current structure lacks a clear chain of authority.
Some believe that contributed to safety violations in the city gas department that led the Georgia Public Service Commission to threaten fines totaling $2.5 million. The penalties were reduced to $65,000, provided the city remains in compliance with safety requirements for the next two years.
On Monday, the council voted to ask the Legislature to approve local legislation to create a city manager position.
“I think having a professional administrator would help fill in some gaps,” said Councilman P.K. Martin. “It will make us a more professional organization.”
Councilwoman Marie Beiser voted against the proposal. She said she believes Johnson, elected mayor in November, can provide the proper oversight.
“I like my mayor to be in charge,” Beiser said.
Johnson, who as mayor did not vote on the proposal, said she did not take the council vote personally.
“It’s not about me,” she said. “It’s about the direction of the city five, 10 years down the road.”
If the Legislature approves the proposal, the city manager post would come with a cost. The salaries of other city managers and administrators in Gwinnett range from $51,600 in Grayson to $169,229 in Buford.
The council also announced it is seeking public input on a proposal to extend the terms of office for mayor and council from two years to four years.
Councilman Tony Powell said the move could provide stability on the council and save the city money. Under the current system, the city holds elections every year. It would hold elections every two years if terms were extended to four years.
Powell said if council members pursue the idea, they would not ask the Legislature to change the terms of city offices until next year.
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