STATE OF GEORGIA

EFFINGHAM COUNTY

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

This Agreement is entered into this ____ day of September, 2017, by and between the

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BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA (hereinafter referred to

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as the “Board”), and STEVEN S. DAVIS (hereinafter referred to as “Davis”). In consideration of the
mutual promises contained herein, the Board has offered Davis employment and Davis has accepted

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employment as County Administrator pursuant to the following terms and conditions:

1. Term.

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The term of this Agreement shall commence on September 7, 2017, and shall expire two

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years from said date. This Agreement may be renewed by mutual agreement between
Davis and the Board of Commissioners. At all times Davis shall serve at the pleasure of

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the Board of Commissioners, subject to the severance provisions of this agreement.

2. Duties. pt
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a. Davis shall perform the duties and functions of the Effingham County Administrator as
specified in the County Administrator Classification Specification, and any ordinances,
resolutions, regulations, and policies adopted by the Board and shall perform such other
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legally permissible and proper duties, undertakings, and functions as the Board shall from
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time to time specify and assign. The current County Administrator Classification
Specification is attached as Exhibit A, and may be modified at any time by the Board of
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Commissioners.

b. Davis shall have charge of the administration of the affairs of the County subject to such
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limitations as may be established by the laws, ordinances, resolutions, regulations, and

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policies of the State of Georgia and of Effingham County.

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c. Davis shall implement all policies of the Board, and all state and local laws relevant to the
administration of the affairs of Effingham County.
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d. Davis shall attend and participate in all meetings of the Board providing administrative
recommendations on each item of business brought before the Board, except when his own
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employment, performance, or salary are under consideration.

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e. Davis shall assume responsibility for the overall financial planning of the local governing
authority, for the preparation of the annual budget, and for submitting the budget to the
Board for review.

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 f. Davis shall hire and assign for employment and shall supervise, direct, and manage all
employees of the Board excluding the Clerk of Effingham County, who shall be appointed by
the Board and shall serve under the supervision, direction, and management of the Board;
provided that Department Heads shall be hired only with the advice and consent of the
Board.

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g. At the direction of the Board, Davis shall act as a liaison between and among the Board, its
employees, other state and local government officials, and the community, and shall strive to

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create and maintain a productive and cooperative relationship between and among the Board,
its employees, other state and local government officials, and the community. Davis shall be
accessible to individual members of the Board at reasonable times to discuss County

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business.

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h. Davis shall prepare and distribute such reports and other information concerning the
administration of the affairs of the County as the Board deems necessary. Davis shall at

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all times strive to inform the Board of important events that may impact the usual course
of County business as expediently as possible.

3. Compensation.
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a. Davis shall be paid an annual salary of $125,000.00, payable in equal installments on the
regular pay day of employees of the Board of Commissioners. In addition to the base salary,
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Davis shall be reimbursed for travel, educational expenses, and other expenses incurred in
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connection with his employment as set forth in the personnel policies adopted and amended
from time to time by the Board. Davis shall be eligible for any salary increases generally
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applicable to management employees of the Board of Commissioners, on the same terms and
conditions as such increases are applicable to other management employees of the Board (i.e.
COLA, Performance Based Increases (PBI), and Longevity Increases). Said annual salary
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will be subject to increase based upon performance and mutually agreed by the Board and
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Davis at the anniversary of this agreement. Davis shall be eligible for health insurance,
retirement, and other benefits generally applicable to employees of the Board in accordance
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with the personnel policies adopted and amended from time to time by the Board.
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b. The Board shall provide Davis a vehicle allowance in the amount of $200.00 per month.
Said allowance shall offset the cost of travel with Davis’ personal vehicle(s) within the
boundaries of Effingham County. If during the performance of his required duties Davis is
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required to travel outside of Effingham County using his personal vehicle, he will be paid
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additional compensation per mile in the amount of the standard county policy mileage rate.

c. Davis shall receive a lump sum payment of $3,000.00 for relocation expenses within
thirty days of beginning employment.

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 4. Time, Method and Manner of Performance.

a. All of Davis’ duties and undertakings as described herein shall be performed competently
in a professional and businesslike manner.

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b. Davis shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws and local ordinances,

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resolutions, regulations, and policies that pertain to the performance of his duties as County
Administrator.

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c. Davis shall serve as a non-classified contracted employee. Davis shall be exempt from the
wage and hour and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and shall engage

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in those hours necessary to fulfill the obligations of his position of employment. Davis shall
be available during the County’s regular business hours as established by the Board, during

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the Board’s regular and special called meetings as necessary, and at other times as directed
by the Board. Davis shall notify the Board of scheduled absences and shall ensure that the

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Clerk is notified of his whereabouts during regular business hours when he is not in the
Administrative Complex.

5. Leave.
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Davis shall receive one hundred twenty (120) hours of annual leave within the first year of
employment and said annual leave shall accrue on a pro-rated basis thereafter in accordance
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with the personnel policies adopted and amended from time to time by the Board. Use of
leave must be approved by the Board. Upon termination of Davis’ employment, regardless
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of cause or fault, Davis shall be entitled to payment for accrued leave in accordance with the
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personnel policies generally applicable to employees of the Board of Commissioners.

6. Application of Effingham County Human Resources Standards of Practice.

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The personnel policies generally applicable to the employees of the Board of Commissioners
shall be applicable to Davis except as set forth in this paragraph and in other paragraphs in
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this agreement. In the event of a conflict between the personnel policies generally applicable
to County employees and this agreement, this agreement shall be controlling. Davis shall
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conduct himself in accordance with the standards of conduct established by the Board
through the Effingham County Human Resources Standards of Practice or through such other
personnel policies as may be adopted and amended from time to time by the Board.
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7. Performance Review

The Board may evaluate Davis’ performance at any time during the agreement period and/or
annually on or about the anniversary date of this agreement. Performance evaluations shall

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 be conducted in accordance with specific criteria adopted by the Board, consistent with the
duties and responsibilities of the position of County Administrator and goals set by the
Board. The Board of Commissioners shall furnish to Davis a written summary of the
findings in said evaluations and shall afford Davis an adequate opportunity to discuss his
performance evaluations with the Board. Such evaluations and discussions shall occur in
executive session to the extent permitted by law. Performance evaluations may be

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considered during renegotiation of this agreement at the anniversary date.

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8. Severance

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a. Should the Board terminate this agreement for any reason other than Davis’ failure to
perform his duties as agreed or his conviction of an illegal act, the parties agree that the

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Board shall pay Davis a sum equal to 120 days of salary. In addition, at Davis’ election, the
Board shall reimburse Davis for health insurance coverage under COBRA for up to 120 days

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or pay Davis an additional sum equal to the employee health insurance rate for 120 days.

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b. Any compensation due Davis up to the point of termination will be paid within five days
of the effective date of termination.
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c. Davis hereby agrees to accept such severance payment in full satisfaction of any and all
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claims he may have against the Board in connection with his employment hereunder and
agrees and covenants not to file any claim, demand or suit arising from such termination,
including, but not limited to, any claim, demand or suit requesting a disciplinary or
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termination hearing before the Board or challenging the denial of the same.
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d. Subject to the foregoing limitations, Davis shall be entitled to severance pay upon non-
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voluntary termination, including resignation in response to the Board’s demand or request for
same. Davis shall not be entitled to any severance pay if the Board does not renew his
contract.
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9. Resignation
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Except with the express permission of the Board, Davis shall give not less than 60 days
notice of his intent to voluntarily terminate his employment relationship with Effingham
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County.

10. Death
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If Davis dies prior to termination of this Agreement, this Agreement shall then terminate and
the Board shall pay to Davis’ Estate as soon as possible all salary and expense
reimbursement accrued through the date of his death. The Board shall not be under any

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 obligation to pay any other amounts of any kind to his estate or heirs.
11. Legal Defense and Insurance

The Board shall defend Davis against any action arising from his employment as County
Administrator other than an action brought by him to enforce this agreement. The Board
agrees to provide Davis with insurance coverage, at the County’s sole cost and expense,

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under its Association County Commissioners of Georgia Interlocal Risk Management

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Agency insurance policy. However, the Board shall not pay for the defense of any
intentional or willful tort or willful and wanton negligence of Davis.

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12. Other Terms and Conditions of Employment.

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The Board from time to time may establish such other terms and conditions of employment
as it may deem desirable; provided that such terms and conditions are not inconsistent with

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or in conflict with the provisions of this Agreement.

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13. Notice

All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given by hand
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delivery, certified mail, return receipt requested, or overnight mail effect upon the date of
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delivery or on the date of mailing, to the parties at the following addresses, or to such
other addresses as either party may designate in writing to the other:
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If to the Board:
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Chairman, Board of Commissioners

Effingham County Board of Commissioners
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601 North Laurel Street

Springfield, Georgia 31329
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If to Steven S. Davis:
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Mr. Steven S. Davis

County Administrator
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601 North Laurel Street

Springfield, Georgia 31329
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14. Severability.
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If, during the term of this agreement, any specific clause of the agreement is found to be
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illegal or unenforceable pursuant to State or Federal law, the remainder of this agreement
shall be deemed severable, shall not be affected, and shall remain in full force and effect.

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 15. Modifications.

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and may be modified only in
writing signed by both parties.

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16. Entire Agreement

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This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and may be

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amended from time to time only by agreement of both parties.

This ____ day of September, 2017.

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be
_____________________________
STEVEN S. DAVIS

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Sworn to and subscribed before me
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this ___ day of September, 2017.
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______________________________
Notary Public
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 This ____ day of September, 2017.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF
EFFINGHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA

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By: _____________________________

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Wesley Corbitt
Its: Chairman

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Attest: _____________________________
Stephanie Johnson
Its: County Clerk

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