Alpharetta’s city hall is undergoing some changes in personnel.
Last week, three city leaders resigned to participate in upcoming elections. In the meantime, the city in north Fulton County will be led by four council members.
David Belle Isle, who has been the city's mayor since 2012, formally resigned on Feb. 21 so he can qualify for the upcoming statewide race for Georgia's Secretary of State. Following Belle Isle, councilmen Jim Gilvin and Chris Owens resigned from their posts to run for Belle Isle's now vacant mayoral seat.
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The city will hold a special election to fill the unexpired terms of mayor and the two council posts on May 22. Qualifying for the elections has been set for March 5 to March 7. The qualifying fee for the mayor's race is $900, while the cost to qualify for a council post is $450.
The unexpired term for mayor ends Dec. 31, 2019, while the council seats expire on Dec. 31, 2021.
Between now and the special election, Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Donald Mitchell will serve as interim mayor. Three other councilmembers, Jason Binder, Dan Merkel and Ben Burnett will be active in city decisions.
In a statement, Mitchell said that the decisions to run for mayor by Gilvin and Owens were “expected.”
"As you choose our next mayor and the two newest members of your city council, be assured that I and your city hall will remain unbiased and removed from the political process," Mitchell wrote in a letter to Alpharetta citizens. "My focus, and that of your city council and the city staff, will be on continuing to provide excellent service to our citizens and on the bright future of this community."
Early voting for the special election in Alpharetta will begin April 30 and end on May 18.
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