The Hinesville City Council decided to further discuss amending a section of city code regarding the appointment and removal of its city manager during a regular meeting Thursday.

District 2 Council Member Jason Floyd suggested the council hold a workshop prior to the next meeting before voting on the proposed amendment. The workshop will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 17; the regular meeting will begin at 3.

The proposed change to city code Section 2-282 regarding the appointment of a city manager would effectively remove the mayor from any such vote for appointment, and leave the decision with a majority of the city council only.

The proposed change to section 2-286 dealing with removal of a city manager, if approved, would read, “The City Manager may be removed by a majority vote of the City Council for good cause at any time.” Again, the word “Mayor” was red-lined in the draft ordinance.

District 1 Council Member Diana Reid asked City Attorney Linnie Darden to further clarify the meaning of the words “good cause” in the draft for an amended ordinance. Reid had accused longtime City Manager Billy Edwards of insubordination for not replying to an email in a timely fashion during the July 20 council meeting.

The mayor and council entered into executive session Thursday afternoon to review Edwards’ job performance evaluation. The council will meet with Edwards in closed session on Aug. 17 to present their findings. Edwards was suspended two weeks without pay in June. No reason has been given for the suspension. Edwards did not attend Thursday's meeting.