As the state’s economy has worsened, Putnal said, cities and counties have seen some state funding dry up, which will be a challenge.

“It’s probably going to get worse until the economy turns around,” he said.

Putnal said he is not concerned that he will have a new boss here once Hay departs or in the politics of working in a government position.

“I actually saw in the paper Colquitt County is going to have a new administrator,” he said. “Everywhere you go there’s going to be politics of some form, it doesn’t matter whether it’s private industry or government.”