PHOTO ABOVE: Marty Hughes, courtesy of the City of Kennesaw
By Rebecca Gaunt
Kennesaw city manager Jeff Drobney will retire at the end of September after more than 25 years with the city.
Drobney has worked for the city since 2000. He became the assistant city manager in 2010 and city manager in 2015.
Assistant city manager Marty Hughes has been appointed interim city manager to oversee the transition effective from Sep. 1 until two months post-hire of a new manager.
The City Council unanimously approved a contract last week with Robert Slavin of Slavin Management Consultants to find a replacement at a cost not to exceed $24,521. Slavin Management Consultants is based in Norcross and specializes in human resources services to public sector organizations.
The consultant contract was not on the original agenda posted for the meeting, but was placed and voted on following a discussion during executive session.
Upcoming meetings
The city’s first millage rate hearing is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.
The proposed millage is set at 7.75 mills for maintenance and operation, which has remained steady since 2023. The bond rate is set at 1.40 mills. Due to increases in property values, if approved, the rates will result in tax increases of 4.25% and 3.7% respectively.
Two additional hearings will be held Aug. 3 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. A vote will follow the third hearing.
The City Council work session will follow Monday’s hearing.
Items for discussion on the agenda include:
- a proposed budget increase from $116,372.49 to $131,112.82 for the 911 dispatch console replacement project.
- a $319,570 contract with Video Industrial Services for stormwater pipe repair.
- Cobb County DOT’s offer of $7,200 for 0.327 acres for right-of-way purposes to construct the Noonday Creek pedestrian bridge.
Rebecca Gaunt earned a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in education from Oglethorpe University. After teaching elementary school for several years, she returned to writing. She lives in Marietta with her husband, son, two cats, and a dog. In her spare time, she loves to read, binge Netflix and travel.