Interim City Manager Search Stalled

Sparks flew at a recent special called meeting to talk about who might become Snellville's interim city manager, and afterward leaders determined that they still could not get along.

So for now, the search for someone to fill the outgoing manager's post on a temporary basis is off. A search for permanent person is on.

At a meeting held February 15, leaders were expected to discuss search firms. That means current is likely here to stay until April, when his 60-day notice expires.

Mayor Kelly Kautz previously said she was considering Chief Roy Whitehead for the interim post, among others candidates. She was expected to make an official nomination on Monday, but that did not happen.

"It is no reflection on the chief or his capabilities," Kautz said . "I think he would make a fine interim city manager, but at this point in time, I am not making any nominations."

Asked later if that meant she was no longer , Kautz said "I didn't say that."

According to an account from Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts, a heated exchange happened during the executive session of a special called meeting last week. It is unclear whether that disharmony directly prompted the mayor not to make her nomination on Monday.

Witts said that he was especially disappointed that the mayor spoke to the media about candidates under consideration. He'd wanted to meet to discuss their options before saying any specifics publicly on the matter.

"I'll be honest," he said during Monday's meeting. "I had high hopes that we could do that."

But, when he walked into the special called meeting it seemed the mayor had made her choice without them.

Before he could launch further into the evening's events, Witts was cut off by Kautz. She admonished him that what he was talking about privileged information.

Unnerved Witts continued. 

"When I reminded the mayor that she had made an agreement not to talk to anyone, and that she had, she very matter-of-factly told me that she 'did it, beat me up for it,'" he said.

Witts also said that he was "verbally assault(ed)" by another council member during a recess of the meeting. He surmised that he should not have voiced his concerns.

However, he still believes its best to move forward with a search for a permanent replacement while retaining Treadway for the next two months. It would cut down on costs, he added.

"The clock is ticking, we have wasted a week, and time is of the essence," Witts said.

Overall, city leaders should "take the bull by the horns and get the city moving into the right direction and revitalize a sense of pride and community."

The mayor did not comment on Witts' statement, nor did she comment about the executive session.

The mayor did say that she is not confident that a permanent person can be found within the next two months. It took about nine months the last time, she said, to find someone.

"Mr. Treadway has given us 60 days, so we're going to start the search," she said. "If we find a permanent, great."

If necessary, Kautz added that she stands ready to make a nomination for an interim city manager "at the appropriate time."