City Manager’s Office
One of three City employees hired and approved by the Mayor and Council, the City Manager is charged with seeing that all laws and ordinances are enforced. The City Manager ensures the business affairs of the City are efficiently handled, while exercising control over all departments in the City. The City Manager attends all meetings of the Mayor and City Council with the right to take part in all discussions but having no vote. The City Manager oversees and submits an annual budget and annual financial report to the Mayor and City Council, negotiates and approves all contracts, purchases or obligations on behalf of the City as allowed within the City Code, and hires department heads and employees, as required.
The office of the City Manager is composed of the City Manager and two Deputy City Managers. Together they liaise with elected officials, hire, and guide staff and oversee all aspects of project and personnel management.
Matthew Hailey has been serving Commerce as City Manager since March 2024 having previously served the city as Assistant City Manager. Matthew has 20 years of combined experience in government operations at the municipal, county, and federal levels with specific background in executive management, public safety, planning & development, code enforcement, and courts. A veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, Matthew also holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Public Administration from Liberty University. Matthew is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Commerce.
Deputy City Manager
Sandra Haggard currently serves the City as Deputy City Manager/City Clerk directly supervising the Recreation Department, Library, and Downtown Development Authority/Mainstreet in addition to assisting the City Manager and City Council as the official record keeper for the city. Sandra’s 40-plus years of experience combines her 14-plus years with the City with over 30 years in the financial service industry. A lifetime resident of the City of Commerce, Sandra has served on numerous boards and committees to include the Commerce Booster Club, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and District 5 Officer of the Georgia Municipal Clerk’s Association. Sandra also holds a Master Clerks Management Development Certification from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
Lonnie Robinson currently serves the City of Commerce as Deputy City Manager with direct supervision of the city utility departments. Hired in 2019, Lonnie previously served as the city’s Natural Gas Utility Director and continues to serve as the Safety Coordinator for all of city staff. In addition to his combined 28 years of service in utilities and municipal government, Lonnie also serves in various capacities in numerous local service groups such as the Director of the Greater Northeast Georgia AAU Sports and member of the Kiwanis Club of Commerce.