A longtime Athens Utilities employee has become the interim Electric Department manager under an organizational chart change approved Monday by City Council members.

If he likes it, he may stay permanently.

Blair Davis, who had been a distribution engineer for the Electric Department, was recently asked to serve as interim manager after officials searched unsuccessfully for a permanent manager.

If Davis decides he likes the job and the city is happy with his work, he may get the position permanently.

The Electric Department manager position— which pays $95,000 to $125,000, depending on experience — has been vacant for a while.

“Several years ago when we appointed Gary Scroggins as the utilities manager, he was in the position of electric manager,” Mayor Ronnie Marks told council members during their regular meeting. “So, we have grown so much so fast with these new electric substations, and just the number of people in Limestone County, that Gary and I have talked for the past six months that there has to be a time when we fill the (electric manager) position he (Scroggins) wants maintained.”

The job was included in the fiscal 2017 budget presentation and it was advertised.

“But really, we didn’t get any applications,” Marks said.

The mayor said he, Scroggins and Human Resources Director Marsha Sloss believe the salary range for the job and the job description are good, they just don’t know why it didn’t attract more applicants.

They regrouped.

“Blair Davis has been a key person in the Electric Department for years and years,” Marks said. “So, we approached Blair and said if we work an arrangement, would you consider taking this on an interim basis?”

Davis agreed.

“He knows every screw, nut and bolt of this Electric Department, and to get an outside person to come in and take that job would have been tough to begin with,” Marks said. “So, I’m excited for us, and I’m excited for Blair.”

The utility will leave Davis’ position open until he determines whether he likes the Electric Department manager position, Scroggins said.

Marks said that will be about three or four months.

A longtime Athens Utilities employee has become the interim Electric Department manager under an organizational chart change approved Monday by City Council members.

If it likes it, he may stay permanently.

Blair Davis, who had been a distribution engineer for the Electric Department, was recently asked to serve as interim manager after officials searched unsuccessfully for a permanent manager.

If Davis decides he likes the job and the city is happy with his work, he may get the position permanently.

The Electric Department manager position— which pays $95,000 to $125,000, depending on experience — has been vacant for a while.

“Several years ago when we appointed Gary Scroggins as the utilities manager, he was in the position of electric manager,” Mayor Ronnie Marks told council members during their regular meeting. “So, we have grown so much so fast with these new electric substations, and just the number of people in Limestone County, that Gary and I have talked for the past six months that there has to be a time when we fill the (electric manager) position he (Scroggins) wants maintained.”

The job was included in the fiscal 2017 budget presentation and it was advertised.

“But really, we didn’t get any applications,” Marks said.

The mayor said he, Scroggins and Human Resources Director Marsha Sloss believe the salary range for the job and the job description are good, they just don’t know why it didn’t attract more applicants.

They regrouped.

“Blair Davis has been a key person in the Electric Department for years and years,” Marks said. “So, we approached Blair and said if we work an arrangement, would you consider taking this on an interim basis?”

Davis agreed.

“He knows every screws, nut and bolt of this Electric Department, and to get an outside person to come in and take that job would have been tough to begin with,” Marks said. “So, I’m excited for us, and I’m excited for Blair.”

The utility will leave Davis’ position open until he determines whether he likes the Electric Department manager position, Scroggins said.

Marks said that will be about three or four months.