COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Nearly a year after Isaiah Hugley was fired after 20 years on the job, Columbus has a new city manager.
Mayor Skip Henderson gave his recommendation for Begley to become the next city manager nearly two weeks ago.
The city council voted 7-to-1 to hire Tyson Begly, who was the Columbus mayor’s pick. The decision comes one week before the runoff determines the next mayor.
Two council members — Charmaine Crabb and Toyia Tucker — were not at the meeting. With the two seats empty, Simi Barnes stood alone in opposition. Travis Chambers, Walker Garrett, Gary Allen, Bruce Huff and John Anker all voted yes.
Yearlong search ends
It has been more than a year of uncertainty at Columbus City Hall.
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Last May, council members voted to fire longtime City Manager Isaiah Hugley. The move came amid concerns over operational failures in the finance and animal control departments.
What followed was a months-long national search for his replacement.
“I’m excited. I mean, this really fits my background — the experience that I have had in my career in the private sector. I think serving on city council was extremely helpful,” Begly said.
Begly takes over a city that — despite the turmoil — recently earned national recognition. WalletHub ranked Columbus 20th among the best-run cities in America, citing the city’s strong budget management.
“We’ve got so much going for us, right? We see tourism going up, we’ve got new employers coming into the city, we have seen crime going down — and so we are really on a great trajectory. Making sure that the city services provided are cost-effective, but also the type of service that people can expect — that’s consistent and reliable,” Begly said.
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Concerns over timing and compensation
Not everyone is comfortable with the timing.
Council member Travis Chambers — who voted yes — said the process could have been handled better.
“Tyson Begly has the professional merits to serve this, but allowing the mayor-elect and the oncoming council members to have input in the selection process would have been a better way to cosign the selection of our administrator,” Chambers said.
New elected Council member Simi Barnes, the lone no vote, echoed those concerns and raised questions about the compensation package.
“I do not believe the decision of this magnitude should be made at this time. One councilor who will be making this decision was not elected by popular vote, and two newly elected council members will soon take office — yet their voices are not being considered. In this decision about the proposed compensation package, the candidate’s starting salary will be significantly higher than the previous city manager, who served this community for 20 years,” Barnes said.
Begly’s term will begin in July.
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