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Decatur leaders seek public input on mayor selection process

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 7:12 GMT by FOX 5 Atlanta
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Decatur, a suburb of Atlanta, is preparing to change the way it chooses its mayor, and the city’s leaders are inviting residents to weigh in on the proposal. The discussion, which has already taken place on the city council chamber floor, centers on whether Decatur’s mayor should continue to be selected by the council—an arrangement that has been in place for decades—or whether the city should adopt a direct election or another selection model. City officials say the decision will affect not only the city’s leadership but also its budget, governance, and engagement with citizens.

Council Hearing and Mayor Selection Model

On Monday, the Decatur City Council held a public hearing that drew a sizeable crowd of residents, business owners, and civic leaders. Mayor Jim Brown, a Democrat who has served since 2014, opened the session by noting that the city has long prided itself on a collaborative, consensus‑driven approach to local governance. “We’ve always believed in a council that works closely together, and that includes how we choose our mayor,” Brown told the assembly. He added that the council’s selection process has helped keep the mayor’s role largely ceremonial, allowing elected officials to focus on policy and city management rather than campaign politics.

In contrast, opponents of the current system argue that the mayor’s position should be directly accountable to the public. “Every resident should have a voice in choosing the individual who represents them on a daily basis,” said councilmember Karen Treadwell, a Republican from Ward 3. Treadwell emphasized that a direct election would increase transparency and allow citizens to hold the mayor accountable for citywide priorities.

Councilmember Andrew Hays, a Democrat, called for a balanced approach. “We’re not looking to replace the council’s role entirely, but we do want to explore options that keep the mayor connected to the people,” Hays said. He suggested that a hybrid system—where the council recommends a shortlist and the public votes on the final candidate—could preserve the council’s influence while adding voter input.

Public Input Session

Following the hearing, the council set a deadline of June 30 to gather public comments on the proposal. The next step is a public input session scheduled for Friday, July 12, at the Decatur City Hall’s Community Room. The session will be open to all residents, and participants are encouraged to bring evidence, questions, and suggestions for how the city might streamline the mayoral selection process.

The city’s official website lists the agenda for the July meeting, and city staff will provide a recording of the session for those who cannot attend in person. In a statement posted on the website, councilmember Maria Sanchez urged citizens to attend, noting that “the decisions we make now will shape Decatur’s leadership for years to come.”

Linking to the Charter Amendment

One of the key pieces of information that emerged during the hearing was the link to the city’s charter amendment draft, which proposes a change to Article 9, Section 7 of the Decatur Charter. According to the draft, the amendment would allow for a “Mayor Election by Popular Vote” after a preliminary vetting process conducted by the council. The amendment also includes provisions to adjust the mayor’s compensation and clarify the role’s ceremonial duties.

The draft charter is available on the city’s website in a PDF format. A close reading of the document reveals that the amendment would create a new “Mayor Selection Committee” comprising council members and community representatives. The committee would be tasked with shortlisting candidates and presenting them to the public for a nonpartisan election. This process is designed to preserve the council’s influence while giving voters a direct say in who holds the office.

Financial and Operational Implications

City officials have addressed concerns about the cost of implementing a new election process. In a statement, City Manager Robert Jenkins noted that “the projected cost of conducting a mayoral election is relatively modest when compared to the city’s overall budget.” Jenkins estimated that the city would need to allocate roughly $10,000 for election materials, staff time, and voter education campaigns. He also highlighted that the potential for increased civic engagement could translate into higher voter turnout for other municipal elections, ultimately benefiting the city’s democratic health.

The council also discussed the logistical aspects of conducting a mayoral election. City staff would need to set up a polling location, establish a registration process for candidates, and coordinate with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office to ensure compliance with state election laws. The city’s legal counsel confirmed that the charter amendment is compatible with state statutes governing local elections.

Community Reaction

During the hearing, several residents shared their perspectives. A small business owner from downtown Decatur expressed skepticism about the need for a change, arguing that the council’s selection process has worked well historically. Meanwhile, a resident of Ward 2, who had previously voted in the city’s 2020 elections, praised the council’s willingness to seek public input. “It’s encouraging to see that the city values our opinions and is open to change,” she said.

Another resident, a college student studying political science, suggested that a direct election could improve the mayor’s visibility and accountability. “People would see the mayor as a real public figure rather than a behind‑the‑scenes role,” she noted.

Next Steps

The July 12 public input session will be the next critical milestone. Residents who wish to submit written comments ahead of the meeting can do so by email or through the city’s online portal. The council has promised to publish a summary of the comments and the proposed timeline for the amendment’s passage.

If the public input is overwhelmingly positive, the council will vote on the charter amendment in the fall, with the goal of having a new mayoral selection process in place for the next municipal election cycle. City officials emphasize that the change is not intended to politicize the mayor’s office but to align the city’s governance structure with contemporary expectations of transparency and citizen participation.

Decatur’s experiment with its mayoral selection process reflects a broader national trend toward reexamining local governance structures. Whether the city ultimately adopts a direct election, a hybrid model, or retains the council’s current approach, the upcoming public input session will set the stage for a decision that could shape the city’s leadership for years to come.