A small southwest Georgia city has volunteered to let a consultant grade how efficiently it governs as part of a pilot program that may be expanded to other Georgia communities.

The Georgia Municipal Association chose Leesburg to test the program because it wanted to start with a city of 5,000 people or fewer. Leesburg city officials agreed to take part last week.

Tom Berry, a former Thomasville city manager and consultant for the municipal association, will spend one to three days in Leesburg to gauge the efficiency of its city government and make sure officials are following state and federal laws. He's expected to report his findings to the mayor and city council by late October.

Tags: Georgia Municipal Association, Leesburg, city efficiency