A significant portion of the meeting revolved around the interview of Mr. Garner, a city manager candidate who presented an extensive background. Garner detailed his 20 years in military service followed by 40 years in various city management roles across Georgia and Florida. He emphasized his readiness to serve Crescent City. Garner assured the commission of his familiarity with Crescent City’s operations, citing his review of the city charter and personnel policy. When questioned about his grant experience, Garner acknowledged his involvement in similar projects but admitted he had not written historic resources grants.

Commissioners probed Garner about his departure from his previous position in Sneads, to which he explained that challenges with a council member questioning his age and suitability led to his exit, despite no negative feedback on his performance. Garner emphasized the importance of collaboration among council members and expressed his readiness to engage with Crescent City’s issues, despite a three-and-a-half-hour commute. He underscored his willingness to immerse himself in the community, engaging with various groups and attending local functions.

The meeting also included procedural discussions regarding the timing of candidate interviews and deliberation, with an emphasis on conducting background checks for candidates selected for further consideration. The commission stressed the importance of community engagement and the ability of the city manager to interact effectively with residents.

Further, the commission discussed financial management, particularly the city’s budget process. One commissioner queried Garner about his experience overseeing budgets, especially given that the finance director was new to public finance. Garner expressed confidence in guiding the finance director, drawing from his familiarity with budgeting processes and program evaluations.

The conversation transitioned to the city’s old school building, now under the school district’s ownership, and its potential redevelopment into a community asset. Garner highlighted his experience in managing economic development projects and securing grants, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with educational institutions and local government bodies to secure resources for such projects.

The commission also deliberated on the qualifications and expectations for the city manager candidate, focusing on economic development. The candidate acknowledged the importance of securing grants to address community needs and cited past experiences with grant applications. Concerns were raised about the candidate’s ability to manage the city’s finances, public works, and staff. The candidate recognized the steep learning curve but expressed confidence in adapting and collaborating with existing staff.

The meeting shifted to discussing the search for a new city manager, with one participant expressing uncertainty about applying for a long-term position. The individual emphasized their commitment to professionalism and integrity but mentioned considering other opportunities. The timeline for hiring a permanent city manager was also discussed, with an estimated duration of two to three months.

Staff training and development were highlighted as essential, with a participant advocating for investing in employee training to preserve institutional knowledge. Concerns about multitasking in a small community were raised, with participants discussing the realities of being understaffed and managing multiple responsibilities.

A discussion centered on the interim city manager position, which needed to be filled urgently. The commission emphasized the importance of attracting a broader pool of candidates for the permanent position. Concerns about the commitment level of candidates Chris Edwards and Mr. Garner were raised, with questions about their long-term intentions. The logistics of onboarding an interim manager, including conducting background checks, were also discussed.

Ultimately, a motion was made to offer the city manager position to Mr. Edwards, which received unanimous support. The commission discussed the details of his compensation package, including a car allowance for commuting and a monthly salary of $6,600. An update on ongoing city projects was provided, with a suggestion to hold a special workshop to review the project list before Mr. Edwards begins his role.

The commission also discussed the upcoming budget process, with a recommendation to utilize the rollback rate to manage financial resources effectively. A questionnaire about the city manager job description was mentioned, emphasizing the need for feedback on expectations. The status of the audit was addressed.