Today is Floyd County Manager Blaine Williams’ last day at work, a year after he was promoted to the top slot following five years in the assistant manager position.

On Tuesday, Finance Director Gary Burkhalter will take over as interim county manager, until the Floyd County Commission settles on a permanent replacement. Click here to see the job posting.

Williams, who starts work Jan. 7 as an assistant county manager for Athens-Clarke County, said the teamwork is what he’ll remember the most from his time here.

“There are so many dedicated and unselfish community leaders who volunteer their time and talents to make Rome and Floyd County a better place to live,” he said. “And I’ve been privileged to be at the helm with so many hardworking and dedicated employees.”

Asked for a list of his proudest accomplishments, he includes as his partners department heads, community leaders, city of Rome officials and Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce members.

The Lowe’s distribution center at Ga. 53 and 140 came to fruition on Williams’ watch. He also oversaw the successful completion of a number of SPLOST projects — including the Armuchee Connector and the 10-tower countywide communications network.

Williams’ tenure was marked by financial woes stemming from the national Great Recession, and he expressed some disappointment that the sole response has been more budget cuts.

A plan to raise money through a special purpose, local option sales tax was rejected by voters, and the County Commission has, so far, ignored his recommendations on revamping county operations to make them sustainable.

“The widespread distrust of big government should not be unfairly leveled at the local governments. They are made up of your neighbors, friends and family, providing necessary and essential services at a value,” he said. “If the community fails to reinvest in itself on an ongoing basis, then stagnation will inevitably occur.”

Burkhalter and Assistant County Manager Noah Simon — whom Williams hired in March — will be working with the Commission in January to wrap up the 2013 budget.

Meanwhile, the board is advertising in state and national publications for Williams’ replacement.

“Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred) in Management Administration or related field and at least five years experience as a county manager or assistant city manager or any combination of education and experience,” reads the posting on the Georgia Local Government Access Marketplace website.