Neeley’s promotion was unanimously adopted following a closed executive session and came one week after the council’s July 22 dismissal of previous City Manager Richard Derr.
“This motion and decision reflects the confidence we have in Heather going forward as the city manager to run the city,” Council Member Tom Coale said before Neeley was voted in. “[She] has the backing of everybody on council, including the mayor, I think I can say, without a doubt.”
Heather Neeley, former assistant city manager and director of economic development, was named Oak Ridge North’s interim city manager July 29.[/caption]The positions of both assistant city manager and director of economic development were also discussed during the council's executive session, but neither role was filled at the Monday evening meeting.
Council will next meet July 31 to workshop the city’s fiscal year 2020 budget, which is set to be adopted Aug. 26. The council’s next regular meeting will be held Aug. 12.
