More Than 100 Have Applied For Decatur's City Manager Job

DECATUR, GA -- One hundred people from 21 states have applied to become Decatur's next city manager. On Wednesday, the consultant hired to head up the search said more than 40 of the candidates are from Georgia. The applicants hope to replace Peggy Merriss, who is retiring at the end of this year after serving the city for 35 years, 25 of those as city manager.

The city’s consultant, Heidi Voorhees from GovHRUSA, is in the process of reviewing the credentials of the candidates and will meet with the city commission once her report is completed. “At the start of this process we estimated that 40-50 candidates would apply based upon other recruitments our firm has conducted for similar positions," she said. "This extraordinary response to the recruitment is a reflection of the city’s progressive approach to governance, its political stability and the overall high quality of life the city has to offer.”

Decatur has had only two city managers in the last 45 years.

SEE ALSO: Decatur's City Manager To Retire

Merriss joined the city staff in 1983 as personnel director with a commitment to serve for two years. She held that position for six years, then was named assistant city manager in 1989. In 1993, she was named city manager, celebrating 25 years in that role in June.

During Merriss' tenure, the city has rebuilt all of its facilities, including city hall, the Decatur Recreation Center, Fire Stations 1 and 2, the public works building and the Beacon Municipal Complex that includes the police department and Ebster Recreation Center. All city parks have been renovated as well.

The MARTA plaza also was rebuilt under Merriss' guidance and, most recently, Decatur purchased the former Children's Home with its 77 acres of greenspace.

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