Villa Rica charter bill headed to Kemp | Times Georgian

Kemp has 40 days to sign or veto HB 1487, which was introduced in the State House on March 14 by District 71 Rep. J. Collins of Villa Rica and sponsored by Rep. Lynn Smith (District 70), Rep. Tyler Smith (District 18), Rep. Kimberly New (District 64) and Rep. David Huddleston (District 72).

The bill seeks to amend Villa Rica’s charter to give the mayor the power to appoint or remove the city manager for an indefinite term. The city council can override the mayor’s decision by a supermajority vote of four or more council members.

HB 1487 states that the city manager may be appointed solely on the basis of executive and administrative abilities, education, experience and knowledge of the duties of the office, and that the city manager is not required to be a Villa Rica resident.

If Kemp takes no action on HB 1487 in the next 40 days, the bill automatically becomes law. For more information on the life of a law in Georgia, visit https://georgia.gov/life-law. Collins, a Villa Rica resident and businessman, announced in February that he will not seek reelection to the State House, citing family and business obligations. His current term ends in January 2025.