BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Recent statements from a number of current and former city officials appear to point to the introduction of a City Manager position for the City of Beckley in the coming years.
This shift in government management would see Beckley pursuing a path already explored in areas like Bluefield, Charleston, and Oak Hill through the implementation of an individual tasked with maintaining daily operations for the city including budget management and administrative duties.
City Managers report to the City Council, and are responsible not only for serving the residents of a given area, but also for adhering to the agenda of the council members to which they report.
Current officials, including Mayor Rob Rappold and Councilman Tom Sopher, have indicated the likelihood of their supporting the introduction of a City Manager in coming years, with Sopher emphasizing the business acumen required for effectively running an area such as Beckley.
Tim R. Berry, who recently retired after 21 years serving the Beckley City Council, has long supported the transition to a format of government which includes a City Manager.
“I was pleased to see the city now looking at transitioning the local government to a City Manager,” Berry said in a statement on Wednesday. “We looked at this 6-7 years ago. Several cities have already gone to this form of government years ago and [are] having success with it. I support this evolution of the City of Beckley for the future.”
More information on developments and government in Raleigh County can be found here.
