City Council hires interim City Manager

The City of Kinston met in closed session today for over an hour with only one item on the agenda - personnel. This meeting was a recessed continuation of two previous meetings as the new mayor and two council members have yet to be sworn in.

At the conclusion of the closed session today, Mayor Don Hardy called the open meeting to order and entertained a motion to hire Steven Harrell as interim city manager. The councilmembers present, Robbie Swinson, Felicia Solomon and Chris Suggs all voted in favor.

According to a press release by the Town of Benson, NC on June 24, 2025 Harrell was appointed to serve as their interim town manager. He has previously served as manager for Robersonville, Brevard, Oxford and Ayden.

Mayor Hardy then adjourned the meeting until the January 6, 2026 meeting.