Demorest City Manager Kim Simonds stepped down Thursday.
The city council Thursday night voted to contract with former Gainesville Mayor Mark Musselwhite to serve as interim city manager for the foreseeable future.
The city will pay Musselwhite $2,000 per week with the contract being on a week-to-week basis.
Musselwhite served on the Gainesville City Council from 2000 to 2006.
Mayor Jerry Harkness said the city is a city manager/city council form of government, meaning neither the mayor nor a council member can run the city.
Megan Chastain now is serving as interim city clerk. Simonds previously held that position as well as the role of city manager.
Harkness said upon learning of Simonds’ decision on Wednesday that was effective Thursday he immediately began searching for someone who could fill the manager’s role on an interim basis.
“We welcome anyone to apply for city manager,” Harkness said. “We’ll start opening up for applications as early as next week. Interested persons are invited to drop off their resumes and cover letter to city hall.”
Those interested who are not able to drop off the documents during city hall hours can contact Chastain at (706) 778-4202 to receive instructions on where to email them or otherwise get them to the appropriate place, Harkness said.
