The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners have selected Steven L. Harrell to be the city’s interim manager.
Harrell was sworn in last week and brings close to four decades of experience in municipal government – 28 years of which he has held the position of city manager – to this most recent role.
His comprehensive experience overseeing multiple departments includes not only those that the City of Oxford has, but also sanitation, electricity, economic development and inspections. He also has experience in planning, community development, parks and recreation, and as a chamber of commerce executive working as chief liaison with local, state and federal governments.
Harrell retired in 2020 as the town manager of Ayden, and has since served as interim manager in Robersonville and Brevard. Mayor Jackie Sergent said, “The board feels that Harrell’s extensive credentials position him well for leading the city in the coming months, especially with the utility projects underway and the upcoming KLRWS plant expansion about to begin. His planning expertise will also be a boon as the City faces further development and related discussion.”