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Cofty out as administrator

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

In a stunning move Thursday night, the Fayette County Commission terminated the contract of county administrator Chris Cofty.

The board adjourned after its regular meeting for an executive session to discuss one personnel item. When the board reconvened the meeting, they voted unanimously to end the nearly five-year relationship with Cofty.

The reason the board cited was that it was “time for a change.”

“The board unanimously felt like it was time for new management,” said Chairman Greg Dunn.

Cofty’s contract called for four months severance if he was terminated from his position. With an annual salary of $119,800, Cofty will receive a nearly $40,000 severance package.

Additionally, the board appointed Chris Venice as acting county administrator. Dunn said it was too early to determine what type of search the board would use to find Cofty’s replacement.

“We’re just really in the beginning stages of the process,” Dunn said.

Cofty was named as the county administrator in December, 2000. Prior to that, he served as the county’s assistant manager. Before joining Fayette County government, he served as the vice president of operations for Media One Cable Television Metro Division, which encompassed the southeast Atlanta area, including the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Henry, Newton, Coweta and Fayette.