Jackson Progress-Argus

Jackson — Butts County officials said Friday afternoon that the top choice for the job of county administrator has declined the position.

Rick Eckert, the city manager of Powder Springs, was the lone finalist announced for the job last month. He was the most highly recommended candidate interviewed by a citizen committee tasked with vetting and interviewing applicants.

County officials said in a statement released late Friday afternoon that Eckert declined the position for personal reasons.

He was the only candidate interviewed by the Board of Commissioners.

“The Board interviewed Eckert in January and authorized the Chairman, Roger McDaniel and the County Attorney, Michael O'Quinn, to negotiate an offer with Eckert,” the county’s statement said. “The negotiation process spanned two weeks but ultimately, Eckert declined the position this past week. The Board will determine their next course of action in the upcoming weeks.”

Eckert, 60, has been the city manager of Powder Springs since June 2010, and has experience managing a number of county and municipal governments in his native Missouri, as well as in Alaska, Alabama and in the United Arab Emirates.

The position of county administrator has been open since Alan E. White’s retirement in December. The county’s statement said Deputy County Administrator J. Michael Brewer will continue to act as county administrator overseeing day-to-day operations.

Eckert could not immediately be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

-- Michael Davis