Fort Oglethorpe Downtown Development Authority, a seven-member board set up to promote business growth for the city, says it needs a director.

During a meeting this week with five of the seven members attending, the DDA decided its needs a full-time director with an annual salary capped at $40,000.

The DDA, which plans to present its request to the city council, already has two key city officials backing the idea.

“We need someone to apply for grants and work full-time to draw business in,” mayor Lynn Long said. “If the city can’t afford those things, then they can’t afford the DDA. Have to have the means to accomplish the goals.”

City council member Louis Hamm, who is a DDA member, said he would draft a job description to submit to the council.

Jeff Epperson, DDA chairman, suggested having a DDA director who would work part-time with the city.

The DDA decided it will wait until after the city's March 19 election, in which a new council member will be elected, to submit its request.

Long suggested the DDA wait, pointing out there are currently only three council members and the DDA’s request would need to get a unanimous vote (3-0) to pass. He said the DDA would have a greater chance of approval following the election, when the council has four members. With four members on the council, if there is a tie vote, the mayor votes to break the tie.

The DDA decided it would submit its request at the council’s March 25 meeting.

The DDA has been plagued recently with members leaving. One vacancy was filled in December. Two more positions may be vacant by March: DDA member Bruce Find asked to be removed from the board; member Karen Goodlett has not taken part in the meetings in several months.