The charter review committee devoted a major portion of the workshop to the proposed city manager role, reviewing model language about qualifications, powers, hiring authority and removal procedures.

Chair Wannick and Carl Vinson Institute representatives discussed sample qualifications: one model recommends a master's degree in public administration, public affairs or public policy plus two years' experience in appointed local government management; an alternate formulation allows a bachelor's degree plus five years' experience. Several committee members asked that the qualifications remain broad enough to include business degrees and executive experience so the city does not unduly limit the candidate pool.

Members also debated whether the manager should be an "at-will" employee (the model's short option) or governed by a longer removal process (a model alternate that prescribes steps, notice and hearings). The Carl Vinson representative reminded the committee that Georgia is an at-will employment state but that contractual protections and negotiated severance clauses are common; legal counsel noted that employment contracts, not charter language alone, often establish the protections a manager negotiates.

On powers and duties, the committee reviewed model text that gives the manager authority over day-to-day operations, department heads, and hiring and firing of staff subject to commission policy. Commissioner France and others emphasized they intended the manager to report to the commission while retaining operational control over department heads.

The committee discussed succession and acting-manager provisions: typical practice is for the manager to designate an acting manager or deputy, but the commission retains authority to appoint an interim if needed. Chair Wannick asked staff to combine the committee's intentions with the model language. The Carl Vinson Institute and staff were asked to prepare a merged draft that captures the committee's will for the next meeting.