City has first reading on reorganization of Municipal Operations
The City of Calhoun on Monday night held a first reading of an ordinance change of Chapter 2: Administration, Article IV: Organizational Structure and Administration of Municipal Operations and Departments. The change will reorganize the management structure of the City and eliminate the position of General Manager of Utilities, currently held by Larry Vickery. If the ordinance passes, the elimination of the position would result in the Utilities Department reporting directly to the City Administrator, Eddie Peterson.
Mayor Jimmy Palmer expressed his concern over eliminating the position, stating that he will veto the decision even though he knows it will be over- ridden, and he provided a detailed explanation on why keeping the position is important to the City of Calhoun.
“I want it known that I will veto this and any personnel organizational chart that eliminates the position of general manager of utilities,” said Palmer . “I expect that to be over- ridden by the four voting members because it only requires three ( votes). But at the same time, I want to bring to attention to the rate payers, the tax payers, and the voters a few things that I think can be looked at in different ways.
“It was pointed out by Councilman ( David) Hammond at the work session the other night is that one of the reasons we are doing this is because most of the cities in the state of Georgia have a one manager form of government, which is true,” said Palmer. “One thing to consider when you are looking at this is that there are approximately 560 cities in the state of