City of Perry Appoints Robert Smith as City Manager

The Perry City Council voted Tuesday, November 18, 2025, to appoint Robert Smith as the next City Manager for the City of Perry.

Smith has served as Assistant City Manager since 2018 and brings more than 15 years of experience in local government administration, public policy, and community development.

During his tenure as Assistant City Manager, he oversaw day-to-day operations for all City departments, managed the City’s approximately $70 million all-funds budget, and directly supported the Mayor and Council in executing Perry’s long-term strategic goals. He has also served as Acting Director of Public Works and led major capital projects, including the Public Safety Building renovation and the City Hall project.

Prior to becoming Assistant City Manager, Smith served as the City’s Director of Economic Development from 2014 to 2018, where he strengthened relationships with local businesses, led recruitment efforts alongside the Development Authority of Houston County, and managed key initiatives through the Main Street Program and Downtown Development Authority.

Before joining the City of Perry, Smith worked for the Middle Georgia Regional Commission in various roles, providing high-level support to 11 counties and 22 municipalities across the region. His experience includes economic development, planning, finance, human resources, and grant administration.

Smith holds both a Master of Public Administration (Local Government Administration) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Georgia. He is actively pursuing the International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM) designation and is a member of GCCMA, ICMA, and Rotary International.

“I’m deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the City Manager in Perry,” Smith said. “Perry is an exceptional community with a lot of positive things going on. In my time with the City I have seen it grow into a model community, and I look forward to continuing with that momentum in my new role. Fortunately, being the City Manager in Perry you get to work with forward-thinking elected officials and a tremendous staff in ensuring that Perry remains a destination of choice and a community that thrives.”