Valdosta Mayor and Council Appoint Mark Barber as City Manager
The City of Valdosta Mayor and Council officially appointed Mark Barber as the city manager at the March 22 City Council meeting.
Barber has served Valdosta as its interim city manager since Dec. 8, 2017, filling the vacancy left by former City Manager Larry Hanson. His selection for the city's top appointed position reflects the mayor and council's confidence in his leadership abilities that have developed from his three decades of experience in local municipal government.
"Mark has shown incredible leadership abilities over the past four months as our interim city manager," said Mayor John 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 municipality, Barber will continue to oversee the city's 10 departments, 600 employees, and a $97 million budget. His numerous years of experience in municipal government—26 of them with the city of Valdosta—and his solid finance background has provided the guidance to ensure the city continues to operate in a fiscally responsible manner.
"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."
View Barber's bio. Barber can be reached at the Valdosta City Hall at 229-259-3500.