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Vote Set For City Manager; Observer Reports Ron Carlee Offered Job

Jeff Willhelm
/
Charlotte Observer

It appears that Charlotte City Council has chosen its next city manager, at least informally.

The Charlotte Observer reports that council has offered the job to Ron Carlee, a former county manager in Arlington, Virginia. And city spokeswoman Kim McMillan says council plans a vote during Monday’s meeting.

Here’s Carlee speaking at reception earlier Wednesday:

“Given where Charlotte is positioned now, the goal should be no less than to make this one of the great global cities. We should shoot to be the very best from what I see here, and that’s what I would hope to bring to you.”

The Observer cites unnamed members of council who say Carlee is the top choice.

WFAE is trying to confirm that. Councilman Michael Barnes says he can’t confirm or deny anything, and that he wouldn’t assume anything is a done deal.

Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield was also coy, saying only that no formal decision has been made. She hung up when pressed further.

Council met for more than three hours during closed session Wednesday evening to discuss the three finalists for the job. The other candidates are Assistant City Manager Ruffin Hall and Deputy City Manager Ron Kimble.

Carlee was the county manager in Arlington for eight years. He left in 2009 to take a job with the International City/County Management Association, where he heads research efforts. He also blogs on local government issues for the Huffington Post.

Greg Collard served as news director from 2008 to 2023. He served as WFAE's executive editor in 2023. He came to WFAE from West Virginia Public Broadcasting. In his eight years there, Greg had roles as a reporter, editor and producer. He was the executive producer of a television news magazine and news director for radio and television when he decided to head south for Charlotte.