City Manager

Sumter Local Government Consulting is pleased to assist the City of Lake City, GA, in recruiting its City Manager. The City Manager reports to the Mayor and City Council and is a critical member of the city's executive leadership team.

Lake City is a welcoming, close-knit community located in northern Clayton County, approximately nine miles south of downtown Atlanta. Known as the "City of Friendly People," Lake City combines the charm and accessibility of a small municipality with the advantages of being located within one of the nation's largest metropolitan regions. Incorporated in 1951, the City has maintained a strong sense of community while benefiting from the economic opportunities and transportation infrastructure of metropolitan Atlanta.

Covering approximately 1.9 square miles and home to nearly 3,000 residents, Lake City offers a high quality of life characterized by friendly neighborhoods, engaged citizens, and responsive local government. The City's size allows elected officials and staff to maintain close relationships with residents and businesses while providing personalized municipal services. Community pride, accessibility, and customer service remain hallmarks of the City's culture.

Lake City's strategic location is one of its greatest assets. The City enjoys immediate access to Interstate 75 and Interstate 285 and is located only minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports. The City is also adjacent to the cities of Forest Park and Morrow, near Clayton State University, and in close proximity to the Fort Gillem redevelopment area.

This exceptional connectivity provides residents and businesses with convenient access to regional employment centers, higher education, logistics, healthcare, and entertainment throughout metro Atlanta.

Residents enjoy the benefits of a diverse metropolitan community while maintaining the feel of a hometown where neighbors know one another and civic engagement is encouraged. The City is served by the Clayton County Public Schools and benefits from nearby educational opportunities, parks, recreation, shopping, and cultural amenities throughout Clayton County and the Atlanta region. The City's convenient location also provides access to a robust workforce, extensive public transportation options, and numerous recreational and entertainment destinations.

Lake City's Mayor and City Council have established a vision centered on fiscal responsibility, excellent customer service, economic vitality, infrastructure improvements, and maintaining a safe, attractive community.

Ideal Candidate

The Mayor and City Council are seeking an accomplished local government executive who combines strong technical expertise with outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills. The successful candidate will understand the complexities of municipal government while embracing Lake City's small-town culture and commitment to exceptional customer service. This individual will be a visible, accessible, and ethical leader who builds trust with elected officials, employees, residents, businesses, and regional partners.

The Position

The City Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Lake City and is responsible for providing visionary leadership, professional management, and strategic direction for all municipal operations. Appointed by and reporting directly to the Mayor and City Council, the City Manager implements the policies and priorities established by the governing body while ensuring the efficient, effective, and ethical delivery of municipal services.

The successful candidate will be an experienced local government executive who embraces collaboration, innovation, transparency, and customer service, and fosters a positive organizational culture focused on excellence.

As the City's chief executive, the City Manager oversees the daily operations of all municipal departments and is responsible for directing and evaluating department heads, promoting organizational effectiveness, and ensuring that City services are delivered in a responsive, fiscally responsible, and citizen-focused manner. The City…