A Dawsonville city councilman has announced his plan to run for mayor this summer.

"I've always enjoyed working with the citizens of our city to serve our community, which is why I'm excited about the opportunity to take an even bigger role," Calvin Byrd said.

A special election is set for July 31 to fill the unexpired term of the late Joe Lane Cox, who died last month.

Byrd, a local businessman, was elected to the council in November 2009. During his term, he has served as mayor pro-tem and a representative on the 13-county Georgia Mountains Regional Council.

As a lifelong resident of Dawson County, Byrd has been involved in many civic organizations.

For the past six years he has been president of KARE for Kids, one of the county's largest nonprofits, which provides year-round assistance to local children in need.

Byrd, 27, believes managing and owning a small business has helped him understand the importance of operating under a sound, conservative fiscal policy.

"I know firsthand the importance of having a carefully planned budget and living within one's means, which is why ensuring fiscal responsibility within our city government has been and will continue to be one of the most important goals I have in representing the citizens and taxpayers of Dawsonville," he said.

Byrd also believes that coordinating and overseeing the annual Mountain Moonshine Festival, Dawsonville's largest annual event and one organized by KARE for Kids, has honed his leadership skills.

In a statement, Byrd said he hopes to work toward "meeting the needs and goals of the residents of Dawsonville by serving as the mayor of this great community."

Byrd is a member of Bethel United Methodist Church and a 2010 graduate of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development for the North Georgia region.

Qualifying will be held from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 23-25 at the Dawson County Board of Elections office, 96 Academy Ave., Dawsonville.