The Peachtree City Council is expected to select Juno Beach, Fla., police chief Halifax “Skip” Clark as its new police chief at council’s regular meeting Thursday night.

The council is also expected to vote on extending its lease of the temporary police headquarters currently occupied by the department off North Commerce Drive near Aberdeen Road and Ga. Highway 74. The three-month extension will cost an additional $37,650.

That move is necessitated in part by a delay in council picking one of several options to repair, replace or scrap the permanent police station, which has been beset by moisture problems.

An examination of the facility by a consulting architect revealed structural problems with walls that were determined to be the chief culprit allowing moisture in the building. The problems included mold and mildew buildup, requiring routine cleaning in some rooms of the department and dehumidifiers running constantly in some areas.

The architect has said that if the exterior walls are removed and replaced it should take care of the moisture problems. Also recommended is a change to the grading around the building to help water move away from the headquarters.

Clark has said he’s looking forward to working with the current police command staff to take the department “to the next level.” He wants to explore using citizens to help patrol the cart path system and also use video cameras to monitor priority area. Clark has said he also wants the department to participate on the Drug Task Force operated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department.

According to a memo from City Manager Bernie McMullen, Clark scored the highest ratings of the four candidates who had in-person interviews with City Council. Under Clark, Juno Beach has attained the national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

McMullen said he is also recommending Clark be appointed to the position.

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