Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd to resign next month

The Decatur City Commission will select a new mayor on Monday, Jan. 7

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  • Bill Floyd/City of Decatur

Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd, who’s helped lead the vibrant, walkable city for nearly 20 years, says he’ll step down in January to take a job with a high-powered consulting firm.

In a statement released today, Floyd says he’s been “offered the chance to pursue different professional opportunities that will require a significant amount of my time and attention. Decatur is a wonderfully unique community and it has been an honor and a privilege to serve on the City Commission and to be Mayor.”

According to Decatur Patch, that opportunity is a gig with the Pendleton Consulting Group, a Sandy Springs-based consulting firm that boasts Craig Lesser, a former state economic development commissioner, and Chip Pearson, a former Republican state senator (and frequent Golden Sleaze award-winner).

“Mayor Floyd has provided outstanding leadership and support for the City of Decatur,” stated City Manager Peggy Merriss. “He has been a huge part of our success. His humble approach and obvious pride in the City makes others want to be successful as well. He has championed our staff and challenged us to be better people. He will be missed.”

In addition, Saporta Report points out that Floyd, who was selected by his fellow commissioners in 1998 to serve as mayor, has presided over the Georgia Municipal Association, chaired the Metropolitan Atlanta Mayor’s Association, and worked with other civic organizations such as the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center and the Decatur Education Foundation. Floyd most recently served on the executive committee of the Regional Transportation Roundtable, which selected road and transit projects that would receive funding from the unsuccessful transportation sales tax.

The Decatur City Commission will select a new mayor on Monday, Jan. 7. It’s also likely that a special election will take place in March to determine Floyd’s replacement as the city commissioner who represents Decatur’s North District.