During a special called meeting Wednesday afternoon, commissioners unanimously approved the appointment of Bill Tanner to serve as county manager until a permanent replacement is hired.

Tanner assumed the interim position Thursday morning.

"I'm excited to have been given this opportunity to continue to serve Dawson County," he said. "In the upcoming days, I look forward getting acclimated, spending time with the department heads and starting the process of working with the board in managing county government."

Tanner is a retired park superintendent with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

With 30 years of government management, he most recently served at Amicalola Falls State Park, where he was responsible for park operations and the management of 100 employees.

Since his retirement, he has spent three years as facilities manager for Chestatee Regional Library System and the last seven months as quartermaster for the Dawson County Emergency Services.

He is the 10th person to hold the position since 2005.

Vicki Neikirk, the county's chief financial officer, was temporarily named to serve as interim county manager July 21 following the abrupt resignation of Randy Dowling that morning.

Dowling had held the position since February. He gave no explanation on his departure.

"I hereby resign my position as county manager in accordance with Section 13 C of my contract giving a 60 day notice from today or Sept. 19," according to his resignation letter.

The county will accept applications to fill the position until Aug. 10.