Snellville election already in contention

The Snellville City Council voted 5-1 Monday, with Mayor Kelly Kautz as the opposing vote, to set qualifying fees for the Nov. 3 election at $180 for mayor and $120 for open city council posts 1 and 2.

While Kautz stated a desire to proceed with the election and qualifying fees, she questioned the creation of a Municipal Election Committee consisting of three members: City Clerk Phyllis Richardson, Downtown Development Authority Member Nelson Williams and former city attorney Mike Byrne.

Kautz, who has not indicated whether she will run for re-election, called the committee “simply unnecessary” and argued most city elections are overseen solely by the city clerk. Richardson is set to complete election certification training next week.