Peachtree City will be getting a full-time prosecutor for city court who

will also advise the police department on legal matters.

The City Council voted last week to create the position, which will have

a salary range between $45,000 and $50,000, depending on the person's

experience, noted Police Chief James Murray.

The city currently employs a part-time solicitor who has asked for a steep

raise due to the increased workload. Murray explained that much of the

new workload has to do with discovery motions which can be time-consuming.

Far more of those motions have been filed here in the last year compared

to other cities such as Fayetteville because "everyone here has a

lawyer," Murray said.

"In July, Fayetteville had four discovery motions," Murray said. "Last

month, we had 45."

The city might luck up and get a very experienced prosecutor due to the

election results this year, Murray said. Both State Court Solicitor Steve

Harris, who lost an election bid for a Superior Court judgeship, and Chief

Assistant State Court Solicitor Lura Landis, who lost a bid to replace

Harris as chief solicitor, may be available.

Murray said the state's prosecuting attorney's office said the

proposed salary range should draw a "barrel full" of well-qualified

applicants for the position.

Councilwoman Judi-ann Rutherford said she didn't want to commit to

the position and council should re-evaluate how it's working out during

budget time next year.

Murray noted that any full-time solicitor would be barred from doing criminal

defense work part time, but that person may be able to do civil matters

on the side such as drafting wills.

"We'll pick somebody, I'm sure, who will be dedicated to

the position," Murray said.