College Park Interim City Manager Michael Hicks said he plans to take a more scrutinizing approach to city budgets and spending than previous administrations, and work respectfully with Mayor Bianca Motley Broom. A 2024 council ordinance limiting the mayor’s ability to express opinion on agenda items has also affected working relationships with successive city managers.
Hicks made the remarks during Motley Broom’s town hall meeting on Wednesday evening, when he fielded questions from residents about city operations, staffing concerns, and economic development.
He became interim city manager in November following the unexpected firing of Lindell Miller. Hicks is the fifth person to serve as city manager or interim city manager since 2022.
He said one of his goals is to form an action committee that would include residents and their input.
Residents challenged whether he would be able to lead the city’s internal operations without the direct influence of council members. There are ongoing allegations that previous city managers were pressured to carry out certain actions.
Hicks said his role requires “a level of integrity to say no.”
“[I’m] not going to please everybody,” he continued. “I’m saying watch my walk. Watch what I do. You’ll see that I’m going to be citizen and staff-focused. The mayor’s going to get respect from this seat, as long as I’m sitting in this seat.”
Hicks has worked for the city of College Park for nine years, most recently serving as chief information officer before his promotion. Before joining the city in 2016, he served as chief information officer at Paine College and spent 23 years as director of telecommunications at Morehouse School of Medicine, according to his LinkedIn profile.
During the town hall, residents asked about stalled economic development due to businesses exiting the city and the high number of resignations within city administration. While the city has maintained that it cannot discuss personnel matters, Hicks said he agrees with residents who suggest that exit interviews could be used to identify systematic issues without violating individual privacy.
Applause followed a question from resident Sherry Godfrey, who asked Hicks to address the frequent placement of major and financial items on the consent agenda. The mayor and the public believe such items warrant discussion and should be on the regular agenda.
Hicks reasoned that consent agenda items are typically already budgeted, and issues generally arise when the items involve a professional services agreement.
“I respectfully disagree,” Godfrey said, adding that the importance of the items on consent agendas should be considered.
“… Traditionally, when you consider elements of good governance, you don’t put items [on the consent agenda] that are new ordinances, excessive amounts of money — millions of dollars with no discussion — [or] new processes.”
She continued: ”Those are items that should be discussed in the public during council meeting and not … discussed behind closed doors, because [council will likely come] together and vote collectively as a group; and no one has talked about it on record.”
Hicks acknowledged the concern and asked the public to give him time to resolve.
Residents also raised concerns about perceptions of favoritism in hiring practices, suggesting Hicks recruit outside the state if necessary to ensure independence and professionalism within city departments.
