QUITMAN, Ga. (WALB) - The city of Quitman is under the microscope after a recent city council work session sparked concerns about the council’s decisions to hire, fire, and re-interview city employees.

In a council meeting on Jan. 8, Quitman’s city council voted to terminate second-time City Manager Willie Burns and immediately appoint James Lawrence has the new city manager without an interview, according to sources with the city.

This come after Burns was placed on suspension Jan. 6, while an investigation was conducted regarding operations in his position.

In that same meeting, the council stated that all city officials and department heads – city clerk, city attorney, police chief, and fire chief will have to be re-interviewed in order to keep their jobs. They say they decided this after concerns about previous evaluations conducted by Burns.

The day after the meeting, on Jan. 9, Mayor Zinda McDaniel submitted a letter to Representative John LaHood, requesting the state’s assistance with next steps for the city.

The letter said in part:

“Questions have arisen concerning governance authority, procedural compliance, and charter interpretation. Obtaining a clear legal opinion would help ensure that the City of Quitman operates in full compliance with Georgia law and legislative intent, while also providing guidance to elected officials, employees, and the public.”

Representative LaHood attended the meeting last Thursday where he expressed his own concerns with the way the city of Quitman was operating, matching the concern of citizens.

A letter signed by a group of concerned citizens said:

“These concerns stem from recent decisions and patterns of conduct that appear inconsistent with the City of Quitman’s ordinances, charter provisions, and long-standing principles of transparent and accountable local government. Our community is deeply troubled by what we perceive as a departure from established procedures, checks and balances, and lawful governance.”

There were also questions raised during that meeting about the city’s financial standing. WALB has requested the city’s last audit.

City leadership is now waiting to learn if the General Assembly will assist with what’s next for Quitman.

WALB requested a statement from the city of Quitman, after the publication of this article we received this statement from City Manager James Lawrence:

“According to the Charter for the City of Quitman, the positions of city clerk, city manager, city attorney, fire chief, and police chief require annual reappointment. This process typically takes place at the first meeting of the year or, if necessary, at a subsequent meeting. The council has decided not to reappoint Willie Burns as city manager and has appointed James Lawrence to the role. Consideration of the remaining appointments will occur at an upcoming meeting.”

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