Beckley Common Council appoints interim city manager
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Beckley Common Council appointed an interim city manager during the regular meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
The newly-appointed city manager, Phillip Jarrell, retired from Raleigh County Schools and will serve until a permanent candidate is selected.
The first city manager in Beckley history, Michael Resare, began serving in early December and resigned from the position at the end of January.
'Preserving Black Churches' grant aims to save more sites like New Salem Baptist Church
In 2023, Beckley Common Council voted in favor of changing the city's form of government to that of a weak mayor and to hiring a city manager, sparking a civil lawsuit from Beckley businessman Doug Epling.
WVEA president says WV schools could lose millions if Trump Administration closes Department of Education
Cody Reedy, an at-large councilman on Beckley Common Council, said on Thursday that Beckley Common Council will very likely continue under a city manager form of government, despite the recent setback.
'It was a very controversial decision when it was made, and I think that as of right now, we're using the city manager form of government,' said Reedy. 'I don't really see there to be any change any time soon, and if it's to be a change, it would have to go on a ballot.'
Reedy added that the next election cycle is 2028, which is the earliest date that the decision could be placed on a ballot for voters.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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