Tybee City Council Chooses New City Manager

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. – After nearly a year’s intensive search, the City of Tybee Island has finally found its new City Manager. The news comes from the City Council’s meeting on Thursday, and the council will proceed to finalize the terms of agreement shortly.

Candidates for the Position

The city council’s exhaustive search process considered various strong candidates. Among them was Bret Bell, a current employee at the City of Savannah Public Affairs Office. Bell faced competitive contenders, including Michelle Owens, who had been operating as the Interim City Manager since last September. Owens had stepped into the role following the unexpected resignation of previous City Manager Shawn Gillen.

Bell Chosen as the New City Manager

Ultimately, Bret Bell emerged victorious from the group. The council is anticipated to finalize an agreement with Bell for the coveted position. As proposed, he will start his tenure on September 3rd, earning an annual salary of $165,000. The contract provides for the possibility of future raises dependent on merit, evaluated on an annual basis.

What’s Next?

The terms of Bret Bell’s contract and his appointment as the new City Manager will be confirmed by a vote at the next Tybee City Council. The council meets this upcoming Thursday at 6:30 p.m., where it will conclude the year-long process to find a new administrator for the city.

Bell brings with him a wealth of experience from his time with the City of Savannah Public Affairs Office. The City of Tybee Island is looking forward to the strong leadership and innovative problem-solving abilities that Bell will undoubtedly bring to the role.

As of now, all eyes are on the meeting this Thursday, when the city council ratifies the terms of his contract and effectively ushers in a new era of city management for Tybee Island.

More details to follow…

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