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ALBANY, GA. -- Albany City Manager Al Lott announced late Monday afternoon that effective immediately the Albany Civic Center and Municipal Auditorium will come under the Albany Recreation and Parks Department headed by Suzanne Davis.

Lott says the move makes the most sense and will save taxpayers approximately $40,000 a year.  “Davis and her deputy director will manage and provide direction to that division of that department and provide executive leadership that they need.  I expect that the efficiencies that are in the Recreation Department will be transposed to that division and they’ll be more efficient and more effective and more responsible for taxpayer’s monies and issues” says Lott.

Davis says she has already has a plan of action.  “Initially we’re going to look at their organizational structure and what their bringing in their vision and their mission and that’s our goal for the next 8-10 days.  We want to get a feel of what they have to offer and have in comparison to what we can provide on our side” says Davis.

Officials say they don’t expect to pull in huge shows right away because they have to be realistic and get the right shows for the right venues.  “The Harlem ballet was sold out, Steve Harvey and the truck pull and those kinds of things do well” says Lott.

Lott says because of the size, number of employees, and large budget; the Parks and Recreation Department will join the Albany Police Department, Fire Department, and Public Works as a “super department”.