CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — City Manager Keith Dickerson will step down from his position with the City of Clarkesville on Feb. 20, ending more than six years with the city, Mayor Franklin Brown announced Monday night.
Brown made the announcement at the conclusion of the Clarkesville City Council meeting, saying Dickerson will return to McDonough, where he lived for more than 15 years before coming to Clarkesville.
“Keith Dickerson is retiring and moving back to McDonough the 20th of this month,” Brown said.
Brown said the city does not plan to immediately begin a search for a new city manager and will instead take a measured approach while relying on existing leadership and staff.
“We’re not immediately going to jump out and seek a city manager,” Brown told Now Georgia following the meeting. “We’ll take our time and see kind of who applies. We don’t have to just hire somebody off the bat.”
Brown said he will assume day-to-day administrative duties on an interim basis, citing flexibility in his schedule.
“I only spend about one day a week with my own business,” Brown said. “So I have the time, I have the opportunity, and I look forward to doing so.”
Brown praised Dickerson’s service to the city.
“You have been an asset to this city,” Brown told Dickerson. “I’ve personally enjoyed working with you, and you’ve done a remarkable job for Clarkesville.”
Dickerson, who was given the floor at the end of the meeting, thanked city leaders, staff and residents.
“I’ve absolutely enjoyed working here,” Dickerson said. “It was a blessing to have an opportunity to come to Clarkesville, and I really enjoyed the staff and the mayor and council that I’ve worked with.”
He said he is confident in the city’s direction and leadership moving forward.
“You’re definitely headed the right direction,” Dickerson said. “That’s what makes us unique up here. We’re going in a little different direction than a lot of people are, and I’m excited about the future of Clarkesville.”
Dickerson said his departure does not mean he plans to stay away permanently.
“That doesn’t mean I’m not coming back to live up here,” he said.
After the meeting, Dickerson told Now Georgia he is leaving to pursue a new professional opportunity.
“I’ve been offered an opportunity to do some different type of work, so I’m going to take that opportunity,” he said.
Asked whether the city is prepared to operate without him as several new council members and staff have taken office, Dickerson said he believes Clarkesville is well positioned.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Mayor Franklin Brown is up to date on everything. He’s going to step in and be able to handle a lot of those administrative duties, along with the city clerk, and they should be able to move right along. We’ve got better staff and more staff than we’ve had in a long time.”
Dickerson said he considers the completion of the Clarkesville Community House and the demolition of the old courthouse property among his proudest accomplishments during his tenure.
When asked if he had a final message for residents, Dickerson expressed gratitude.
“I absolutely enjoyed serving up here,” he said. “It was a blessing for me to come here, and I’m just thankful to have had the opportunity.”
