Kevin Poe, county manager of Floyd County for the past 17 years, will be assuming duties as Jackson County manager later this year.

In a Friday afternoon meeting that also included approval of the fiscal year 2012 budget and setting of the millage rate, county commissioners approved Poe's employment contract agreement.

Interim County Manager Leonard Myers said Poe would start Dec. 11. Poe resigned his Floyd County position effective Dec. 4

"It's a great time to be buying a house, and we are anxious to move and get involved in Jackson County," said Poe, who was at the commission meeting with his wife, Anne; daughter, Sarah Poe; and daughter and son-in-law Carol and Jacob Malone of Athens.

The Poes also have a son, Kevin Christopher Poe Jr., who lives in Durham, N.C., with his wife. Jackson County will pay a maximum of $10,000 in relocation expenses.

Poe said he has shown leadership and stability in his years as county manager in Floyd County and looks forward to bringing that to Jackson County.

In Floyd County, Poe has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of county government, overseeing all county departments, administering the budget and implementing policies set by the Board of Commissioners.

He said he was at a point in his career when he was ready to move where he could put his experience to work helping another community.

Jim Dove, executive director of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission and a member of the search committee, said working for Floyd County for two dozen commissioners, Poe shows the stability that Jackson County needs. He said Poe's stable track record and the ability to adapt was a selling point.

"We like the community, and it will be a lot closer to the University of Georgia," said Poe, who commented that getting to Georgia ballgames will be a lot more convenient than traveling from Rome.

Poe is a former president of the County Manager and Administrators of Georgia. He is a former district director of the Georgia City/ County Managers Association and is also a member of that international association. He has served as a trustee and loaned executive with the United Way and is a Rotarian.

Myers has been serving in an interim capacity since mid-March when Darrell Hampton left Jackson County employment.