New Dougherty County administrator scheduled to start work on Sept. 30

ALBANY – Dougherty County officials will formally welcome the new County Administrator Deron King to the community on Thursday, days before he assumes the position the following Monday.

The welcoming event will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the downtown Government Center.

During Monday's commission board meeting, commissioners thanked Assistant County Administrator Barry Brooks for filling in the interim role since the firing of former County Administrator Michael McCoy in May 2023.

King, along with William "Lee" Smith III, was named as a finalist for the position in August. The two were selected from a list of more than 25 applicants.

King is the former city manager of East Point, where he played a key role in establishing an office of Equity, Inclusion & Empowerment and was dedicated to addressing homelessness and aiding in housing and utility payment assistance, according to the county. He previously worked as city manager in the Georgia cities of Forsyth, Stone Mountain and Waycross.

County officials said they looked deeply at the circumstances that led to King's recent dismissal as city manager of East Point after a phishing scam ended up costing the city more than $700,000.

King was approved by a vote of 4-2, with one commissioner abstaining from the vote.