The Clarkesville City Council will soon meet to discuss plans to search for a successor for outgoing City Manager Barbara Kesler. Kesler announced her resignation earlier this week.
Kesler has served as Clarkesville City Manager for over eleven years. Her last day on the job is August 16.
Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock says the Council will meet to make plans to advertise the position. Once Kesler steps down, Aycock says the current staff, Mayor and Council members will handle day to day operations of the city until a new city manager is hired.
Aycock issued a public statement saying it was “with deep regret” that the Clarkesville City Council accepted Kesler’s resignation.
In her resignation letter, Kesler outlined a series of accomplishments that were achieved during her tenure:
- Construction of an up-to-date water treatment lab
- Historic reconstruction of one-fourth of Clarkesville’s downtown square after a devastating fire in 2014
- Completion of a downtown streetscape design project
- Major upgrades to Clarkesville’s Water Treatment Plant
- Demolition of the old Garment Factory on Madison Street and creation of additional parking
- Significant storm water management upgrades
- Start up of a Main Street Program and a Downtown Development Authority
- Successful application and receipt of grand funds in excess of $5.6 Million
- Successful management of city services and staff retention during 10 years when the City tax digest decreased by 24% without any staff lay-offs, furlough days or reduced benefit contributions.
Kesler expressed her deep appreciation to her co-workers “whose commitment to excellence and betterment of the City is to be commended. They have overcome many circumstances where resources were slim and challenges were great. They are the most outstanding people with whom I have ever had the privilege to work”.
According to Aycock’s statement, Kesler now plans to spend more time with her extended family and assist her husband with his business in Toccoa.
