Catoosa County manager resigns

Catoosa County Manager Mike Helton
Catoosa County Manager Mike Helton

RINGGOLD, Ga. -- Catoosa County Commissioner Bobby Winters did not expect a phone call from his county manager Wednesday.

Winters, who is on vacation this week, had just spoken with Mike Helton two days earlier. Helton had told Winters what he would be missing at this week's County Commission meeting. Then, on Wednesday, he had more news.

"I turned in my letter of resignation," Helton said, according to Winters.

"Do what?" Winters responded. "What do you mean?"

He and other commissioners did not expect Helton to step down, but Helton told most of them on Tuesday morning that he was leaving. He told other county employees Wednesday.

"It really did come as a surprise," said Commissioner Jim Cutler. "I had no inkling that was going to take place."

Helton did not return calls seeking comment this week. Winters and Cutler both said he did not explain why he was leaving the job.

"He just told us that he was looking for other opportunities," Cutler said. "He felt that he had a desire to pursue those opportunities. I wish him the best of luck. I enjoyed working with him."

photo Catoosa County Manager Mike Helton

The county set aside $150,000 this fiscal year for salaries in Helton's office, according to the latest budget. The budget does not say whether that sum is only for Helton or if it includes another employee, such as an administrative assistant.

Cutler and Winters said the commission will meet with the county attorneys to discuss how to search for Helton's replacement. That person will be responsible for running the county on a day-to-day basis.

"If I get a call from a citizen (complaining), normally I call Mike," Cutler said.

The commissioners set job requirements for county manager applicants. In the past, they have sought candidates who hold at least a bachelor's degree and have five years' worth of experience in management.

Helton became the county manager in September 2007. Before then, he was the county's magistrate for seven years. He was also the captain of the criminal investigation unit at the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office from 1995-2000.

Helton took a leave of absence from the job in 2012 to run for sheriff. He finished third in the Republican primary, a race that Gary Sisk ultimately won in a runoff.

Bill Clark, the former Catoosa County Commission chairman who hired Helton in 2007, said he also was surprised to hear he was resigning. He was impressed with Helton when they worked together.

"He's a very nice, kind fellow," Clark said. "He relates well with people. He has concern for people. He wants to do his job and do it well. ... He's very effective. I hate to see him go."

Contact Staff Writer Tyler Jett at tjett@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6476.

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