LOGANVILLE, GA — The City of Loganville has begun the process of finding its next city manager following City Manager Danny Roberts’ announcement that he plans to retire after approximately a decade of service to the city.

Roberts informed members of the Loganville City Council of his retirement plans during the council’s July 2026 retreat and later made the decision public. He is expected to remain with the city through the end of his current contract, giving city leaders time to conduct a formal search for his replacement.

The city took its first major step in that process during a called meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25, when the mayor and council heard presentations from executive recruitment firms interested in conducting the city manager search.

The meeting was not intended to select Loganville’s next city manager. Instead, council members were evaluating firms that could oversee the recruitment process, including advertising the position, identifying candidates, conducting background and reference checks, coordinating interviews and assisting the city with final selection and contract negotiations.

Three firms made presentations to the council.

Mercer Group Associates was represented by Jeff Hale. Sumter Local Government Consulting was represented by Warren Hutmacher, while Colin Baenziger of Colin Baenziger & Associates participated virtually. A fourth firm also submitted information for consideration but did not attend the meeting.

Each firm outlined its approach to conducting a nationwide search for qualified candidates. Depending on which firm is ultimately chosen and the council’s scheduling needs, the proposed recruitment timelines ranged from approximately 56 to 90 days.

The search is expected to involve more than simply collecting resumes. The firms described processes that could include developing a candidate profile with input from city leaders, actively recruiting potential applicants, reviewing qualifications, conducting detailed background and reference checks and narrowing the applicant pool before finalists are presented to the council.

Once finalists are identified, the selected recruitment firm would also assist the city with interviews and, if requested, negotiations with the candidate ultimately chosen for the position.

Council members did not select a recruitment firm during Tuesday’s meeting.

Instead, each council member agreed to individually rank the four firms from first through fourth. Those rankings are due to the mayor by Sept. 1. The rankings will then be tallied, with the selection of a recruitment firm expected to be discussed and potentially voted on during the city’s combined work session and council meeting scheduled for Sept. 10.

Only after a recruitment firm is selected will the formal search for Loganville’s next city manager move forward.

No candidate has been named as Roberts’ replacement, and the council has not appointed a new city manager.

Roberts has served Loganville for approximately 10 years, making the upcoming transition a significant leadership change for the city. As city manager, the position is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of city government and working with the mayor and council to carry out policies, manage departments and administer the city’s operations.

The coming months will therefore focus on finding a candidate capable of taking over that role while guiding Loganville through its continued growth.

The city’s next immediate step will be the selection of the executive recruitment firm, expected to come before the mayor and council in September.