Tybee City Manager Position: Meet the Three Finalists

Tybee City Manager Position: Meet the Three Finalists

[Tybee Island] The crucial post of the city manager of Tybee will be filled by one of the three finalists – Michelle Owens, Bret Bell, or Drew Willison.

The employment applications of these candidates have been revealed through requests placed under the Georgia Open Records Act to the Tybee city officials. Tybee Island now awaits the appointment of its new city manager with bated breath.

A Closer Look at the Candidates

Michelle Owens, one of the three finalists, presently stands as the Interim City Manager for Tybee City. She is already familiar with the workings of the city’s administration, experience which could potentially make her a valuable asset in the role of city manager.

Bret Bell, another candidate, might be recognised due to his long stint as the City Administrator of Savannah. Prior to his current post as Chief Information and Public Affairs officer, he held prominent positions such as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for five years. His background and experience in city administration might be noteworthy factors in the consideration process for the job.

The third finalist is Drew Willison, who is currently serving as the Senior Vice President for Corporate and External Affairs at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Washington D.C.

Tybee Mayor Brian West expressed his intent for discretion early on in the process, not wanting to jeopardise the current employment station of any of the candidates. The announcement of the three finalists, however, complies with Georgia law which mandates that the names of finalists be public information before the final offer is made.

The Role of Laws and Regulations

Joseph Turner, President and founder of the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), identified the potential violation of state law if the names of the finalists were not made public by the city before the offer of employment was made. AAME’s press release also pointed out that the Georgia state code necessitates a 14-day public notice period before a final vote can be taken on the matter.

Owens’ Potential Appointment: Views of the Council

Mayor West and councilman Michael Hosti have expressed support for Owens’ potential appointment as Tybee City Manager, recognising her contributions to the city administration over the years.

Hosti seems to speak for some members of the council when he praised Owens’ ability to work with department heads and staff, arguing that bringing in an outsider at this point could be detrimental to the smooth functioning of the city administration.

Following this process, the decision in appointing the next city manager will be a crucial one, impacting the future growth and development of Tybee City. Good luck to all the finalists!

Note: This is a developing story and updates will be added as further information becomes available.