Johns Creek Appoints City Attorney, Adds More Police Officers

Photo credit: Shutterstock

The Johns Creek City Council on Monday appointed its interim city attorney to the position on a full-time basis.

City leaders named Richard Carothers of the Carothers & Mitchell, LLC law firm to the post. Carothers was serving in the interim since early June when former City Attorney William F. Riley resigned.

“We are very appreciative of the fine work that Dick Carothers and Ron Bennett have provided us during their time as our interim attorney,” said Mayor Mike Bodker. I look forward to having them as an integral part of our team as we embark on an exciting new chapter in our city’s history.”

Having served as Johns Creek’s interim attorneys since June, Carothers and Bennett bring many years of legal experience with Georgia governments, including Gwinnett County and the cities of Lilburn, Berkeley Lake, Hoschton, Statham and Flowery Branch.

The Buford, Georgia-based firm of Carothers & Mitchell was founded in 1996.

“Ron and I are very pleased to continue working with the mayor, council and professional staff as they provide exceptional services to the Johns Creek community,” said Carothers.

The council also approved revisions to its personnel headcount, which adds four new officers to the city’s police department and one additional staff member to the city manager’s office.

Former Smyrna City Administrator Eric Taylor has accepted the assistant city manager position with Johns Creek, spokesperson Rosemary Taylor told Patch on Monday.

The financial impact for 2015 for four officers is $400,000, according to council meeting agenda documents. This amount includes salary, benefits, vehicles and equipment. A recurring impact each year will be the salary for each officer.

Before Monday’s action, the police department had 62 sworn officers protecting just over 82,000 residents.

Council members also:

• named Steve Broadbent as its mayor pro tem;
• recognized retiring Community Development Director Mike Williams;
• approved the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank loan agreement for $4 million, which will be used to resurface neighborhood streets; and
• approved an agreement with W. H. Platts Company to provide video streaming of City Council meetings and with Granicus for agenda management software. The city would pay at one-time, up front fee of $100,217 and then $7,788 on an annual basis for the system.