Burke native, E.B. grad Bill Carroll named town manager in Drexel

Drexel has chosen Burke County native and East Burke High graduate William “Bill” Carroll as its new town manager.

Carroll’s selection was announced Monday evening by Mayor Dennis Anthony at the October meeting of the Board of Aldermen.

Anthony said that the board had received 20 applications for the position which were narrowed to eight candidates and from these, two finalists were selected.

Ultimately, Anthony said, the town offered the position to Carroll based on his education, experience, and personal characteristics. 

As chief administrative officer, Carroll will earn an initial base salary of $108,000 annually. 

Carroll will join the Drexel staff in December as assistant town manager, working alongside Sherri Bradshaw, the current town manager, until her retirement at the end of the year. He will officially become the Drexel town manager on Jan. 1, 2024. 

Alderman Matt Johnson had stepped down from the board in July to apply for the town manager position but was not selected as the final candidate. 

A 2012 East Burke High School graduate, Carroll is currently the Public Works Director for the city of Belmont where he is responsible for budgeting and expensing $13 million in public works operations. 

“I’m very excited to come from Belmont. I’m originally from here, Burke County. I’m an East Burke graduate and excited to come to a small town I am familiar with,” said Carroll.  

In the Belmont position for over three years, Carroll has had supervisory responsibilities for 65 employees as well as coordination of public works projects such as distribution of clean drinking water, wastewater collection, and management of public infrastructure. 

Following a six-month internship, Carroll joined the staff at the city of Belmont as Policy Office Director in 2018  and was responsible for working with the Police Department to find solutions for policy problems and streamlining the data processes. 

He is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Government. He holds a Master of Public Administration, Local Government, from UNC Chapel Hill. 

Carroll’s first official day with the town of Drexel is set for Dec. 11, 2023 in the role of Assistant City Manager. He will assume full town manager responsibilities on Jan. 1, 2024. He must reside within a 35-mile radius of the town.

In addition to his annual salary, he will receive up to $6,000 for moving expenses, and paid health, vision, and dental insurance for himself, spouse and dependents. 

Should Carroll decline coverage for his spouse and family, any direct cost savings will then be paid to Carroll directly or contributed to any 401K plan (or similar retirement plan) in addition to any other contributions typically paid to such a plan. 

Carroll will also receive $400 per month (for mileage) for the use of his personal vehicle for official town business within the local jurisdiction of the town. He will be reimbursed for travel outside the town’s jurisdiction at the standard rate established by the IRS at the time.   

The town will be reimbursing Carroll for his monthly cell phone cost but requires that he use the phone for the business of the town. 

The town will reimburse Carroll for reasonable dues and subscriptions including his continuation and participation in the International Town Manager’s Association, the North Carolina Managers Association, the N.C. Finance Officers Association, and similar state professional organizations and any local management groups. 

Should he be terminated without cause or for any cause other than those specified in the contract (Section 5, item a), the town will be obligated to pay a severance salary at a rate equal to his salary rate the day prior to his termination and all benefits outlined in the contract for six months. 

Other board business

The board approved a revision to the zoning ordinance; updated and approved an agreement with First Responders of Burke County (a formal agreement for the county to provide support in emergency situations); and approved sponsoring Cub Scout Troop #225. 

The ordinance revision removed Electronic Gaming Establishments as a Permitted Use within the General Business District. The revision is to come into compliance with the state regulations according to Teresa Kinney of the Western Piedmont Council of Governments. 

“Basically, it is already illegal and it would be in the best interest of the town (to update the ordinance),” said Kinney. 

The board heard from Don Bumgarner representing the Boy Scouts. Bumgarner said the local troop was disbanded several years ago and that he hopes to assist in launching a Cub Scout Troop. If established, Cub Scout Troop #225 would be led by Eagle Scout Max Morgan. 

Bumgarner requested the board’s support for the troop by the continuation of the town’s sponsorship of $1,000 annually. The funds will go toward utilities at the Scout building, which is located on town property.

Bumgarner, as a representative of the newly formed committee, Grow with Drexel, encouraged the board to sponsor the Grow with Drexel committee by allowing the group to use the town’s attorney for legal advice. 

The board, and Town Attorney Rod Willcox, agreed to the request and advised the committee to bring any questions for the attorney to the town manager. The committee agreed to keep the board advised of its meetings and plans. The board declined having a representative on any oversight boards at this time.  

Bumgarner also expressed interest in having a candidate forum for those running for office in Drexel. Mayor Anthony polled the incumbents and other candidates in the audience. All were in agreement that if a forum were to be organized that they would participate. 

The board approved a resolution recognizing Public Works Week, Oct. 1-7, 2023. 

Victoria Malato was recognized and welcomed to the community. Malato is the owner of the new downtown boutique, Two Sassy Sisters. 

Closing the meeting, Alderman Rick Cline, who is running against Anthony for mayor, said he is glad to see the recent interest in the community toward reviving the town. “I’m hearing positive things in Drexel. We need to stay positive and support the efforts to bring our town back.”

Pam Walker is the Central Burke Reporter at The Paper. She may be reached at pam@thepaper.media or 828-443-6103.