MACON, Ga. — After just 10 months on the job, Macon Water Authority Executive Director Joey Leverette resigned.
The Houston County native made the announcement after a board meeting last Thursday. The position requires several different skills. According to the job description when Leverette applied, they look for someone who provides focused, effective leadership, has good financial sense, an emphasis on safety training and clear communication with the board.
Leverette started in early January, after the board announced his hire in November 2021. He took the job to replace former executive director Tony Rojas, who retired in May 2021. Leverette was one of about 40 applicants, according to our partners at the Mercer Center for Collaborative Journalism.
Most recently, Leverette worked at Gainesville Regional Utilities in Florida, running the stormwater division.
At the Macon Water Authority, Leverette worked to update about 1,200 miles of storm drain pipes. To pay for that, he helped institute a $4.99 monthly stormwater fee, but it was met with some criticism. Those fees even charge non-water authority customers, since the authority manages the stormwater for all of Macon-Bibb County.
Also during Leverette's time in office was an internal investigation into then-District 2 board member Desmond Brown, for possible state ethics violations.
13WMAZ reached out to every Macon Water Authority board member to find out what happened. Most referred us to Chairman Sam Hart. Hart said he could not comment, but would provide comment later this week.
We called Joey Leverette on two different phone numbers, and even reached out via a personal email address. He has not called back, or replied.
The water authority's board is set to hold a special meeting this Thursday. Chairman Hart says that's when they'll decide what comes next.