City Commission

Five City Commissioners are elected in nonpartisan elections for overlapping four-year terms – two from District 1, two from District 2, and one At-Large. Each January, Commissioners elect two of their fellow members to serve as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem.

Our commissioners, pictured left to right, are: Mayor Patti Garrett, Lesa Mayer, Mayor Pro Tem Tony Powers, George Dusenbury, and Kelly Walsh. 

Duties of the Commissioners 

The City Commissioners determine the policies of the city and enact the local laws necessary for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. They provide leadership in identifying community needs and developing programs to meet community objectives. They oversee the delivery of services to citizens and are responsible for adoption of an annual budget and the levying of taxes necessary to finance local government operations. 

The City Commissioners appoint the members of a number of boards and commissions who carry out responsibilities specified by state law, the city charter, and local ordinances, including the Decatur Housing Authority, Zoning Board of Appeals, Downtown Development Authority, Planning Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Environmental Sustainability Board, and Active Living Board.

The City Commission annually appoints municipal court judges and the city attorney. Rhathelia Stroud is the chief judge, and the other judges are Berryl A. Anderson, Hollie Manheimer, and Denise VanLanduyt. Substitute judges are Cinque Axam, Tyler Edgerton, Bobby Slotkin, and Tom Stubbs. Bryan Downs is the city attorney, and Larry Steele is the city solicitor.

Day-to-day operations of the city's various departments and implementation of policies established by the City Commission are the responsibility of the city manager, a professional administrator appointed by the City Commission. 

Welcoming and Compassionate City Resolutions 

The City Commission has issued proclamations for becoming a Welcoming City as well as a Compassionate City, which shows support for all residents