The mayor's powers will be

curtailed if the Peachtree City Council approves revisions to the city

charter suggested by City Attorney Rick Lindsey.

Gaining power would be the

city manager, under the proposed revisions to the city's basic governing

document.

For starters, the mayor's veto

power would be taken away. But the change also takes the mayor's current

role of supervising the city and gives that to the city manager.

The mayor would remain the

chief executive officer of the city under the new charter, however.

Council is scheduled to discuss

the charter review process at its regular meeting Thursday at 7 p.m.

Current Mayor Bob Lenox, a

controversial figure during his two terms, has the remaining 11 months

of this year to serve before a term limits provision sidelines him from

the city's top slot.

Mentioned as possible candidates

to succeed him are current council members Annie McMenamin and Dan Tennant,

activist Steve Brown, former planning commission member Willis Granger,

real estate executive Tate Godfrey and former council member and former

state representative Dan Lakly.

The charter review process

was initiated by council member Carol Fritz, who said the document is

outdated since it was originally created when Peachtree City was much

smaller.

Fritz said the charter, which

was originally enacted in 1959, has served the city well, but it is outdated

in several ways. It's also important to clarify the structure of city

government so the citizens can understand how it works, she said, particularly

because local residents often approach council members about city-related

issues.

"I want to hear from people

about what is going on and what is perceived to be going on in Peachtree

City," Fritz said. "How can you make policy decisions if you

don't listen to the people? ... We still need contact with people and

employees also so we can better understand how to serve our city."

The current city charter does

not specifically address the duties of the city manager, which is one

reason council plans to update the charter.

Proposed new language in the

charter would allow council to remove the city manager by a majority vote

and, if necessary, suspend the manager with pay and appoint a temporary

replacement. The new charter also specifically outlines the powers and

duties of the city manager.

The new charter also outlines

that the city clerk will report to the city manager, although removal

or termination of the clerk may be done only by council.

The manner of filling vacancies

on council also is addressed in the charter revisions. Vacancies for unexpired

terms of 12 months or less will be filled with an appointment by council;

otherwise, a special election will be scheduled to fill the seat, although

council can appoint an individual to that seat until the special election

is held.

The appointment process council

will use shall be determined by the mayor, according to the charter revisions.

Those procedures must be given to council members at least 10 days before

the meeting during which the appointment is to be considered, the revised

charter states.