Council members voted Monday night to name David Headley Dawsonville's city manager.

"I've been truly blessed to be given this opportunity to serve the citizens of Dawsonville, the city council, mayor and the staff," he said. "I'm honored and humbled to be the selected candidate to serve as your new city manager."

A Forsyth County resident with more than 30 years of local government experience, Headley most recently served as Dawson County's director of public works from 2005 until earlier this summer.

He also spent 22 years with Brevard County Government in various management positions and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

"It will be my mission and goal in making a difference, not just a difference, but a measurable difference that will assist in the city's transition as we move to the future growth and development of the city," he said.

With an approved annual salary of $78,000, his first day on the job will be Dec. 14.

"My first goal of business is to work with staff, set up meetings with the city council and determine what our goals, what our mission is going to be and how to get there," he said.

Headley holds an associate's degree in civil engineering theory and principles from Ferrum College and a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

The city council approved the new position in September and began the search process in an effort to separate administrative duties Mayor James Grogan had been performing in the interim.

Grogan said hiring a manager would free him up to concentrate on "bigger" city projects.

"I feel like we need to hire a city manager to help with the day-to-day activities," he said. "It's been increasingly harder to maintain all the projects that we have planned for the future."

Of the more than 25 applicants, four men were interviewed by a committee made up of Grogan, Mayor Pro-tem Angie Smith and Councilman Caleb Phillips.

City Attorney Dana Miles on Monday said the mayor's salary will not be affected by hiring a city manager, because Grogan was not receiving additional compensation for taking on the administrative roles.

The city council is currently reviewing two ordinances that, once approved, would specifically detail the city manager's duties and municipal responsibilities.