BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Beckley’s new City Manager, Michael Resare, has provided an overview of city operations after two months in office, highlighting key areas for improvement across multiple departments.
In his January 28 report, Resare emphasized accountability, efficiency, and transparency as priorities for city government.
Key Findings and Recommendations
Board of Public Works
The department, with a $5.3 million budget and 34 employees, faces challenges due to a cyberattack that resulted in lost data.
Resare recommended updating hiring and evaluation practices to prevent favoritism, improving tracking of work orders and project costs, and reviewing policies for repairing city property damage.
City Hall
With a $3.9 million budget and 12 employees, City Hall needs better alignment of department funding with the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
Resare called for reviews of employee work schedules, lunch compensation policies, and transparency in publishing financial documents.
Code Enforcement & Building Inspection
Resare suggested updating court policies and adding staff to improve efficiency in handling municipal code violations.
Fire and Police Departments
The Fire Department, operating on a $6.8 million budget with 49 personnel, and the Police Department, with a $7.3 million budget and 49 officers (down from 54), both require pension plan reviews and staffing assessments.
Resare also called for crime analysis mapping and emergency response improvements.
Human Resources & IT
Resare stressed the need for stronger policies on hiring practices, drug testing, and handling complaints.
He also suggested outsourcing IT services to reduce costs and strengthening cybersecurity measures to prevent future cyberattacks.
Legal Department
Currently staffed by a part-time attorney with a $116,800 budget, the department may benefit from transitioning to a full-time city attorney to handle legal challenges more effectively.
Parks and Recreation
The lack of a dedicated budget for the Parks and Recreation Department—estimated at $4 million—is a major concern.
Resare highlighted safety issues at parks, financial losses at Historic Black Knight Municipal Park, and difficulties in managing work orders and inventories.
