State legislatures will be asked to vote to amend the City of Blue Ridge Charter to incorporate a city manager form of government following a unanimous vote by the city council.
A special called meeting was held Monday, December 28, in which council members, with Robbie Cornelius and Mayor Donna Whitener absent, voted unanimously to incorporate a city manager into the mix.
As a result of Whitener’s absence, Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Rhonda Haight presided over the meeting.
The motion calls for the change to not go into affect until January 1, 2022, with a transition beginning January 1, 2021, upon legislative approval.
The city manager will act as a chief executive officer for the city and strips the mayor of many powers, but the mayor will still be responsible for presiding over meetings and signing official documents.
Essentially, the mayor will now act as a “figure head” for the city.
The city manager will be responsible for carrying out all of the council’s established policies and overseeing daily operations.
Council members will keep their powers, and will be responsible for the hiring and firing of the manager.
The council will continue to consist of five members.