Flowery Branch elected officials have hired an Athens firm to assist with the search for a new city manager following the abrupt departure of Bill Andrew on Wednesday, May 12.
Andrew, who had served in the post for 15 years, gave no reason for stepping down. City Clerk Vickie Short was appointed as the interim city manager on May 20.
City council members voted Thursday night to spend $21,700 to hire Mercer Group Associates to conduct a search on behalf of the city of Flowery Branch.
"Mercer Group Associates will provide a quality search process by partnering with the City to recruit a City Manager who embraces the values of the Flowery Branch community and has the requisite professional management experience necessary for success," stated a letter from W. Alan Reddish, senior associate with the firm.
Mercer Group Associates has assisted cities and counties across the state of Georgia, including several in North Georgia, as they have searched for government administration officials.
Mercer Group has committed to a 90-day timeline for the search process.
