GeorgiaHB 10052025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Austell, City of; provide for a city manager; revise powers and duties of city council committees, the mayor, and department directors

Sponsored By: Kimberly Alexander (Democrat), David Wilkerson (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Intragovernmental CoordinationState and Local Governmental OperationsLocal Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Austell changes city employee management rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, Austell’s manager fills vacant department director jobs with majority council approval. Only the manager can remove a director, also with majority council approval. Directors report to the manager and can hire, evaluate, reprimand, and discipline employees they supervise. Personnel actions must follow state law, the charter, city ordinances, and council-adopted personnel policies and procedures. The council can also suspend or remove employees, or take other employment action, by majority vote for the city’s good. It must follow applicable administrative procedures. Directors must attend council and committee meetings, advise the manager about needs, and maintain property inventories. They also provide required reports and operating notices and oversee contract performance.

Austell mayor and committees oversee administration

Beginning July 1, 2026, council committees provide the main oversight of Austell’s manager, department directors, and administration. At each year’s first regular council meeting, the mayor appoints a committee for each department. Each has at least two council members, with the mayor also serving by office. The mayor names chairs and vice-chairs; chairs lead meetings and connect committees with the manager and directors. Committees review administrative items and can reject them or send them to the full council. The mayor also makes yearly gas system liaison and standing committee appointments at the first meeting, or as soon afterward as practical. Standing committees cover police, fire, water and sewer, mechanics, streets and sanitation, administration, finance, community affairs, and parks. The mayor and council can create additional committees. The mayor leads council meetings, joins discussions, and votes only to break ties. The mayor remains the official head for ceremonies and legal notices, signs city documents, and cosigns checks with the finance director. Ordinances can name alternate check signers. The mayor can call special meetings, use charter veto powers, and pardon or parole city ordinance offenders. Except for charter-authorized inquiries and investigations, the mayor and council must deal with staff through the manager. The council sets meeting rules and maintains annual minutes.

Austell puts city manager in charge

The mayor nominates Austell’s city manager, and the council appoints the manager based only on executive and administrative qualifications. Initial selection takes effect upon the Governor’s approval, or by operation of law when approval is not required. The remaining changes take effect July 1, 2026. The council sets pay, and the manager serves without a fixed term. The manager leads city departments, oversees hiring and discipline, enforces laws, and prepares annual operating and capital budgets. The manager attends council meetings, except limited closed sessions, publishes yearly financial and administrative reports, and advises the council on finances and future needs. Removal requires preliminary and final resolutions approved by a majority of all council members; the preliminary resolution must explain why. The manager has five days after receiving it to request a public hearing, held within 30 days after the request. Suspension during removal cannot exceed 45 days, and pay continues until removal takes effect. During temporary absence or physical or mental disability, the manager can name a qualified city administrative officer by letter filed with the clerk. Council approval is required, and the council can replace that officer until the manager returns or the disability ends.

Austell sets budget and purchasing controls

Beginning July 1, 2026, department directors send yearly budgets to Austell’s finance director. The manager and finance director compile a proposed balanced budget for finance committee review and recommendation to the council. With manager approval, directors can make budgeted purchases up to a council-set amount without prior committee or council approval. Larger purchases need additional approval based on the amount spent. Committee chairs can also approve certain budgeted purchases within council-set limits, with records provided to the manager and finance director. The law sets no fixed dollar limit, and purchases must follow charter, ordinance, and applicable bidding rules. Department surplus property sales require committee approval and manager supervision.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 211 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

LOCAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Yes: 53 • No: 0 • Other: 2

House vote • 2/12/2026

Local Calendar

Yes: 158 • No: 0 • Other: 14

Actions Timeline

House Date Signed by Governor
5/11/2026House
Act 532
5/11/2026
Effective Date
5/11/2026
House Sent to Governor
4/6/2026House
Senate Committee Favorably Reported
2/24/2026Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted
2/24/2026Senate
Senate Read and Referred
2/17/2026Senate
House Committee Favorably Reported
2/12/2026House
House Third Readers
2/12/2026House
House Passed/Adopted
2/12/2026House
House Second Readers
1/28/2026House
House First Readers
1/27/2026House
House Hopper
1/16/2026House

Bill Text

HB 1005/AP* (v4)
PDF

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