John Phillips Appointed as Interim Franklin County Manager

Franklin County’s Board of Commissioners has appointed County engineer John Phillips as the interim county manager.

“We went ahead and appointed John Phillips to take over as the interim county manager,” Franklin County Commission chair Thomas Bridges said Wednesday. “Billy did the county well and he will be greatly missed, but we wish him all the best in his new job up in Toccoa.”

The move comes after county manager Billy Morse announced Tuesday he has accepted an offer from the City of Toccoa to take his old job back as city manager there.  His last day in Franklin County is Friday.

Bridges said Wednesday the board has not yet begun the search for a permanent replacement to Morse.

“It will be shortly, but we haven’t set the date during this transition,” Bridges said. “We didn’t want to be rushed, but it will take place before Christmas. We need to get the application announcement out and get the resumes, as well as get a feel from inside personnel, but we should have something by Christmas time.”

Bridges said they’re hoping to have a new county manager in place by the end of the year.  Meantime, Morse will begin his new job in Toccoa next Tuesday.

Toccoa Mayor David Austin says they are glad to welcome Morse back to Toccoa.

“I think it is just a great thing for the city of Toccoa and our citizens and employees to have Billy come back,” said Austin.  “He did a great job when he was here and we are looking forward to him coming back on October 1st.”

Morse replaces Mike Jackson, whom Toccoa City Commissioners fired earlier this month.  According to the two-year contract Morse signed with the City of Toccoa, he will be paid an annual salary of $121,000.

 Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa, contributed to this story.