Garden City Manager Robider resigns ‘to seek new opportunities’

A third Chatham County municipality is on the hunt for a new city manager after Scott Robider resigned from his position as Garden City manager during an executive session on Monday.

“After eight rewarding years with Garden City I have chosen to resign to seek new opportunities,” Robider noted in a statement to the Savannah Morning News. “The mayor and council have treated me like family and I will always be grateful for the opportunity they afforded me to be the city manager of the best city around. The city has many exciting projects in the works, and I know the city Staff and city Council will do an excellent job in ensuring a bright future for the residents.”

Robider’s resignation comes soon after Garden City attempted an annexation that would have expanded the city into parts of Berwick and Georgetown, pushing the boundaries to the Abercorn extension. The state House bill, HB4EX, would have required a vote from affected residents. However, the city asked Gov. Brian Kemp to veto it after faults were found in the language.

In early 2023, Robider also faced ethics complaints filed by Garden City

Housing Team President MonaLisa Monroe for blocking certain development decisions. It was ultimately dismissed as the allegations were deemed unjustified or failing to arise to the level of an ethics violation.

Garden City joins Tybee Island and Pooler in the search for a new city manager.

Tybee Island’s former city manager, Shawn Gillen, resigned in September 2023 after an extended leave of absence. Interim City Manager Michelle Owens has been filling his role since May 2023, and a search for a more permanent replacement will begin soon.

Pooler’s former city manager, Robert Byrd, tendered a separation agreement to part ways at the beginning of December 2023, after 21 years of service. Matthew Saxon is currently filing in as interim.

Destini Ambus is the general assignment reporter for Chatham County municipalities for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach her at dambus@gannett. com.