Hiram could soon end the months-long process of obtaining a city manager if city councilmen approve a contract tonight.

The city council is holding a 5:30 p.m. called meting with an agenda that includes a vote on a contract to hire Robbie Rokovitz as city manager. Rokovitz, who is currently Cedartown’s city manager, was tapped for the job last month pending a successful execution of a contract between him and the city; he had been one of six candidates named as a finalist for the job.

An approved contract would end officials’ pursuit of a city manager. In February, the council approved a measure to amend the city charter to allow for the addition of a city manager to the payroll. The amendment to the city charter then was required to be submitted as a piece of legislation before state lawmakers—it went before the Georgia General Assembly and received its approval, and Gov. Nathan Deal signed the piece of legislation soon thereafter.

Billy Beckett has been serving as interim city manager until a permanent hire could be made. Beckett’s contract is set to run through Thursday after it was extended last month to allow for a transition period.

Other business on the agenda involving personnel will see officials giving the oath of office to Darrin Keaton, who will serve as solicitor of the Municipal Court of Hiram, and Linda Caldwell, who will serve as indigent public defender; the council last month approved contracts for each of the two’s services.

In other business, the council will consider:

• Cashing a certificate of deposit with United Community Bank in the amount of $595,643.38 plus interest earned minus early withdrawal penalty. Of that, $250,000 would be deposited into the city’s general fund account, while the remaining balance would be deposited into a money market account designated to hold these funds in reserve.     
• Adopting a resolution to place temporary restrictions on certain signs in the city to allow for a review of the city’s sign ordinance.

Councilmen are also slated to go into closed session with their legal counsel to discuss pending or potential litigation.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the Hiram Community Center; the meeting is open to the public. The complete agenda is attached to this article.