
SURF CITY — During a closed session at a Surf City Council work meeting Friday morning, councilmembers voted unanimously to begin the process of hiring a new town manager.
Ashley Loftis, who currently serves the position, will return to her prior role as the town’s finance director, according to Mayor Doug Medlin. He said Loftis has been carrying out the duties of both positions during her short tenure as the town’s top administrator.
“We’re growing fast, and not many [towns] have one position for a manager and a finance director,” Medlin said Friday afternoon.
Loftis was appointed interim town manager in early 2018 before taking the official role in August, according to assistant town manager Stephanie Hobbs.
“She had not been there very long when the hurricane came in,” Medlin said. “She did a heck of a job facing up to that with basically no town manager experience. She sort of had to learn in a hurry and off the cuff. I can’t do anything but say good stuff about her.”
Loftis first appears on town council meeting minutes as finance director in January 2016.
“Everybody was on the same court – that we feel [because] we’re growing so fast that we need somebody in both positions. I think it’s too much for one person to handle both positions, because those are the top two positions in the town,” Medlin said, referring to the manager and finance director positions.
Medlin said the move is not a demotion for Loftis. But the town operates on a council-manager form of government, meaning that “the Manager is responsible to the Council for the administration of all departments,” according to the town’s website. As such, Loftis oversees all of the town’s operations, including the finance department.
Medlin said Loftis will continue her current capacities until a new manager is hired. Positions will soon be advertised for both the manager and the planning director, according to Medlin. The town has been without a planning director since Todd Radamacher left the post soon after Hurricane Florence.
“I think right now it’s a good move for the town,” Medlin said.
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