The city of Hiram may soon have its first interim city manager.

Council members voted to extend the offer of the position to Billy Beckett, a Peachtree City resident and former city manager in metro Atlanta. Beckett was recommended to the council by the Georgia Municipal Association.

The council unanimously approved the contract at a special called meeting last week.

If he accepts the position, Beckett will serve as interim city manager for anywhere from 60 to 90 days with the possibility of extension.

“He is perfect for the time,” said Councilman Pep Rollins. “He doesn’t want to be a full-time city manager, but he’s got enough experience to get us going in the right direction.”

Beckett has asked to be paid a total of $8,318.50, but will only be in Hiram three days a week while serving in the interim position, according to Councilwoman Kathy Bookout.

Mayor Doris Devey said Beckett’s main responsibilities as interim city manager will be to meet with all the city employees, have each council member give him a job description for a city manager, and work on the 2012-2013 city budget.

Hiram has not yet gotten back results from the audit of the current fiscal year’s budget.

The council voted to approve extending an offer to Beckett 4-1, with Bookout being the only opposing vote.

“He wants to be paid a total of $340 a day for eight weeks, but he’s only willing to work three days a week, which is only 24 days in eight weeks, with flexible hours,” Bookout said.

Bookout said he indicated he would be available by phone, email or travel to Hiram as circumstances warrant.

“In my opinion our city manager needs to be here in Hiram,” she said.

Bookout said a city council member could serve as interim city manager with no cost to the city.

No council members showed any interest in the position when asked by Devey at the meeting.

“Beckett has been city manager and interim city manager (in the past),” Rollins said. “His qualifications will allow him to not have to learn stuff. He has written government budgets. Although he may not want to work but three days a week, I think his knowledge will allow him that flexibility.”

Beckett was chosen from a pool of three applicants. Terry Johnson, a local businessman, and David Carmichael, a member of the Paulding Airport Authority, also applied for the position, according to City Clerk Cynthia Geyer.