WHO IS IN CHARGE OF NEWTON COUNTY? WHO MAKES WHAT DECISIONS?
WHO IS IN CHARGE OF NEWTON COUNTY?: NEWTON COUNTY’S FORM OF GOVERNMENT
In 2016, Newton County Board of Commissioners decided to change the form of government that was in place for decades. Our County used to be run by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. However, with the passage of Senate Bill 423, effective January 1, 2017 the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners was stripped of almost all power and Newton County became a County Manager governed form of government.
As of January 1, 2017, these are the duties of the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, the County Manager and the Commissioners of the Board of Commissioners:
THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners shall be the chief executive officer of Newton County. The following powers and duties are vested in the Chair:
(1) To be the official spokesman for the county government and the chief advocate of policy as established by the board;
(2) To be available to the constituency, citizens, and civic associations on a regular basis;
(3) To preside at all meetings of the board;
(4) To coordinate with the county manager in setting the agenda for regular and specially called meetings of the board;
(5) To vote in the event of a tie;
(6) To veto acts of the governing authority approved by no more than three members, provided that:
(A) Any such veto, in order to be effective, shall be provided by the chair in writing, including an identification of the reason or
reasons for the veto, to the county clerk no more than eight days after the occurrence of the act;
(B) The county clerk shall provide a copy of the veto to the other members of the governing authority within five business days
of receipt of the veto; and
(C) No later than 60 days after the date of the receipt of the veto by the county clerk, the veto may be overturned by a vote of
at least four members of the governing authority at any regularly scheduled meeting of the governing authority;
(7) To execute ordinances and resolutions on their final passage and sign deeds, bonds, contracts, and other instruments and
documents in any case in which the general laws of this state or any ordinance or resolution of the board so require or
authorize;
(8) To issue proclamations honoring and recognizing the achievements and contributions of citizens;
(9) To coordinate intergovernmental activity among municipalities, other counties, state, and federal agencies;
(10) To represent the board in matters involving the relationship of the county government with elected county officers;
(11) To coordinate with the county legislative delegation on matters that impact county government;
(12) To coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce and encourage economic development;
(13) To represent the county government at ceremonial functions;
(14) To submit a list of qualified candidates for the position of county manager as provided in this Act;
(15) To ratify the removal of the county manager as provided in this Act;
(16) To call special meetings of the board of commissioners as provided in this Act;
(17) To coordinate with the county manager on the implementation of the work plan approved by the board; and
(18) To perform such additional duties as may be required by law or ordinances or resolutions of the board.
(e) Acts of the chair shall be binding unless four members of the board shall make their objections known within 30 days of an
act, stating the reasons therefor, at an official meeting of the board, or if a meeting is not scheduled to be held prior to said
action by the chair becoming effective, then four members of the board shall make their objections known to the chair, in
writing, stating their objections and the reasons therefor, and said action by the chair shall be stayed until the next official
meeting of the board. At such official meeting of the board, at least four of the members of the board may vote to override the
action of the chair and thereby render this prior action nugatory.
THE COUNTY MANAGER
The County Manager shall be the administrative officer of Newton County and shall be responsible for the proper and efficient
administration of ALL affairs of the county, except as otherwise provided in this Act or by law. It shall be the duty of the
manager:
(1) To ensure all laws and ordinances of the county are enforced;
(2) To implement the work plan approved by the board and coordinate with the chair on the implementation of the work plan;
(3) To exercise control over all departments or divisions of the county, including:
(A) Facilitating internal and external communication throughout all levels of the
organization;
(B) Assisting departments with the resolution of problems that require the attention of count management; and
(C) Informing the chair on departmental activities;
(4) To manage and supervise county staff and department heads with the exception of employees of other elected county
officials and the board of tax assessors, including the following:
(A) To hire, determine compensation within the range approved by the board, train, evaluate performance, discipline, and
terminate classified employees in coordination with the Human Resources Director and in accordance with the county's
personnel policies;
(B) To appoint department heads subject to ratification by the board and to train, determine compensation within the range
approved by the board, evaluate performance, discipline, and terminate department heads; provided, however, that
department heads shall have a right to appeal any termination decision to the board; and
(C) To report to the board monthly on all positions to be filled in the ensuing month and all suspensions or replacements
thereof which took place in the prior month. All said reports shall be spread upon the minutes of the board;
(5) To supervise and regulate all purchase of materials and supplies for Newton County within such limitations and under such
rules and regulations as may be imposed by the board;
(6) To supervise the performance of all contracts for work done and services provided for Newton County and provide
recommendations to the board on contract renewals;
(7) To keep the board fully advised as to the financial condition and needs of the county as provided in this Act;
(8) To work with the finance director and consult with the chair in the development of the annual budget as provided in this
Act;
(9) To oversee and participate in the resolution of inquiries and complaints from the public and other organizations;
(10) To attend all meetings of the board with the right to brief the board on pending agenda items and take part in the
discussions, provided that the manager shall have no vote on any matter or issue before the board;
(11) To respond to inquiries and provide commissioners with information on the status of county operations and projects;
(12) To provide analysis as needed to assist the board to make informed policy decisions;
(13) To report to the chair regarding day to day operations and preparation of preliminary agenda items; and
(14) To perform such other duties as may be required by the board.
DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
The board of commissioners of Newton County shall be the legislative, policymaking body of Newton County. Said board shall
exercise all of the powers, duties, and responsibilities hereinafter provided for, as well as all other powers, duties, and
responsibilities which are vested in governing authorities of the counties of this state by the Constitution and general laws of
Georgia. Without limiting the general legislative powers of the board to undertake and transact such business as is necessary
for the orderly conduct of county affairs, the following powers are vested in the board of commissioners and reserved to its
exclusive jurisdiction:
(1) To adopt and provide for the execution of such ordinances, resolutions, rules, and regulations, not inconsistent with this Act
or state law, as may be necessary or proper for the purpose of carrying into effect the powers conferred by this Act and state
law and for the promotion and protection of the safety, health, peace, security, environment, and general welfare of the
inhabitants of Newton County;
(2) To adopt, and from time to time amend, the budget;
(3) To levy taxes, make appropriations, and fix the rates of all other charges;
(4) To authorize the incurring of indebtedness;
(5) To set the salary and wage ranges and numbers of employees in each range at the first meeting of each fiscal year or as
part of the budget approval process;
(6) To authorize and provide for the execution of contracts;
(7) To establish, alter, open, close, build, repair, or abolish public roads, private ways, and bridges, according to law;
(8) To exercise all power, duty, and authority in respect to zoning and planning;
(9) To establish a yearly work plan and set all specifications for work to be done in the county;
(10) To determine the priority of capital improvements;
(11) To make periodic inspections of county properties and of the work being carried on by the county;
(12) To appoint the county manager and county clerk as provided in this Act and enter into contracts of employment for these
positions;
(13) To enter into contracts of employment for needed professional services, including but not limited to legal, accounting, and
auditing services; and
(14) To accept, for the county, the provisions of any optional statute where the statute permits its acceptance by the governing
authority of the county.
(e) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the board shall not enter into administrative acts.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, members of the board shall not contact employees or personnel of the county in
relation to any duty or work habits of said employee, or to request any service or actions on the part of said employee except
through the county manager. This limitation shall not limit contact by members of the board as a matter of inquiry to obtain
information necessary to allow said members to carry out their duties.
(f) (1) The board shall develop and maintain a work plan, outlining the work that shall be taken up under the direction of the
chair and manager for each fiscal year.
(2) The work plan shall not authorize action or set forth any expenditures which would cost in excess of the amount of funds
budgeted.
Posted on 04 Mar 2024, 11:22 - Category: WHO MAKES THE DECISIONS FOR NEWTON COUNTY?