Kinston City Council names Jon Mendenhall city manager

The Kinston City Council announced Tuesday night that Jon Mendenhall, who recently concluded a six-year tenure as Eden’s city manager, will serve as Kinston’s next city manager.

The announcement came during the council’s Sept. 15 meeting. Mendenhall will succeed interim City Manager Ralph Clark and begin work Sept. 28.

“It’s a profound honor to be standing before you,” Mendenhall said. “I appreciate this opportunity to work for you, the council and the public here in Kinston.”

Mendenhall said he believes in teamwork and has already met members of the city’s staff.

“I believe in working together, and I’m grateful for the warm welcome,” Mendenhall said. “I just want the public to know a couple of things: My door is always open, and I’m just a phone call away. I want to make that commitment to the public—that I am here to help them and to serve the public to the best of my ability.”

Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon noted that the council was united in its selection.

“It says something that the council voted unanimously in favor of this decision,” Solomon said.

Mendenhall became Eden’s city manager in August 2020 after serving as town administrator in Carolina Shores beginning in 2014. His previous experience includes serving as Gates County manager and assistant county administrator in Southampton County, Virginia.

The Eden City Council approved a separation agreement with Mendenhall on Aug. 18 and appointed Terry Shelton interim city manager. A joint statement issued the following day described Mendenhall’s departure as a mutual separation but did not specify what prompted it.

The statement credited his administration with infrastructure upgrades, municipal budget improvements and public safety enhancements, including work on the waterline serving the SOVA Mega-site.

Kinston approved a contract with consulting firm Raftelis earlier this year to assist with its city manager search.

The city manager is appointed by the council and oversees Kinston’s department heads and daily administration.