Editorial: Council should strongly consider city manager form of government

Published 6:00 pm Sunday, March 26, 2017

The city of Dalton has been without an administrator — who runs the day-to-day operations — for about half a year, and city officials seem in no rush to fill the position.

Which probably is a good thing.

City Council members agreed after former city administrator Ty Ross resigned last year that before they began a search for a new administrator they wanted to discuss exactly what they want that position to encompass to see if any changes are needed. One change under consideration is whether the city should move to a city manager form of government.

This is a change the council members should definitely look into.

There are some differences between a manager and administrator, the most notable being a manager is typically in a stronger position and can hire and fire department heads. An administrator acts more like a business manager.

But first the council members plan a top-to-bottom review of the city’s services and departments, which could take weeks. Council members are looking at bringing in an outside consultant to give them an independent view. After all, a change in departments, including becoming a city manager-helmed government, could take a change in the city charter.

So city officials should take their time in their reviews and hopefully they will decide on changing to a manager form of government before beginning the process of finding someone to fit that position.

Being without an administrator for so long isn’t unprecedented, the city was without one for 13 months before Ross was hired. And city officials say the city has been operating quite well these past few months, thanks to its qualified department heads and employees.

And while we’re talking about filling city government positions, another big hole has opened that needs attention. Steve Card, director of Dalton Parks and Recreation, is leaving that post to become executive director of the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association next month.

That’s two high-powered positions city officials need to fill in the coming months. Our expectations are that they will find highly qualified people for them.