Morse Resigns as Franklin County Manager to Take Toccoa Job

Franklin County manager Billy Morse has tendered his resignation to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

At the end of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners work session Tuesday night, Morse announced he will take his old job back in Toccoa as the Toccoa City Manager.

“I have accepted and signed a contract with the City of Toccoa,” Morse said. “I have submitted my resignation to Franklin County. Under my contract with Franklin County I have to give a 30-day notice, but I believe both parties are ready to move on so I probably will not be here the full 30 days.”

After meeting with the board in executive session Tuesday evening, Morse said his last day with Franklin County will likely be this Friday.

At the regular meeting Monday night, the Toccoa City Commission officially offered Morse a contract to return to his old job, which he left in October 2009 after working for the city for some 26 years and as the Toccoa City Manager for seven years.

Earlier this month, the Toccoa City Commission fired Mike Jackson as City Manager and named Morse as their sole candidate for his replacement.

Since Morse left four years ago, the City of Toccoa has not been able to find a suitable manager – going through four City Managers, one hired from as far away as Michigan.  Now with a new city commission about to take over in January, Morse said he’s looking forward to the challenges ahead.  However, he doesn’t expect things to be entirely the same as when he left four years ago.

“I think things are different and I feel like I’m different,” Morse said. “I’ve learned a lot working for Franklin County and my time on the county side of things. Certainly things have changed at the City of Toccoa as well.  So, I think a lot of things there are going to be different and new and there will be challenges as there are with any new job, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Morse said he is also looking forward to working with the new commission coming in January.

“I consider them all to be wonderful leaders for our community and I’m looking forward to the new direction that they will take (Toccoa) us in,” Morse said.

Morse came to Franklin County right after former County Manager Frank Ginn resigned to run for the State Senate.  Ginn left behind a fire storm of controversy from citizens over his handling of county projects.

Morse brought calm and organization to the office and with an open door, get-it-done approach, was able to get a number of major projects moving forward, such as the county water expansion project and the paving of dirt roads.

Morse said last night he has valued his time with Franklin County.

“I wasn’t looking to go,” Morse said. “I had settled in very nicely into the job in Franklin County and I’ve been happy here, but they (Toccoa) gave me a very good opportunity and a chance to get back home and I’m taking it.  Having said that, I want to thank Franklin County for the opportunity to serve here. I’ve cherished my time here and the good friends I’ve made.”

County commissioners will now begin the process of finding and selecting a new county manager.  No word yet on how that will be handled.