VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - Valdosta Mayor John Gayle and City Council officially named Mark Barber as the city manager at the City Council meeting on Thursday.
Barber has served Valdosta as its interim city manager since Dec. 8, 2017, filling the vacancy left by former City Manager Larry Hanson.
“Mark has shown incredible leadership abilities over the past four months as our interim city manager,” said Gayle. “His high standards are consistent with the performance of the city, and there is no doubt in our minds that he is capable of moving our city forward. He has secured the respect from our city department heads, as well as from leaders within and around our community. I am confident in our future under his leadership as our city manager.”
As the city manager of Georgia’s 14th largest city, Barber will continue to oversee the city’s 10 departments, 600 employees, and a $97 million budget.
“I am very grateful to the mayor and council for their confidence in my ability to lead the city and for affording me this privilege to serve as Valdosta’s new city manager,” said Barber. “Following a very successful Strategic Initiatives Summit with the Mayor and Council on March 16-17, I look forward to getting to work and focusing heavily on the goals we have set for our city and community. It will be business as normal.”
