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The Brundidge City Council hired Pike County High School Principal Willie Wright as assistant city manager at its Tuesday meeting. The is a new position for the city’s administration.

Wright will assume the assistant city manager’s  position on May 1, 2020. and the position of city manager on September 1, 2020 until November 2, 2020 when the newly elected administration takes office. The new administration will have the opportunity to appoint the city manager for its administration.

“I have been blessed with two amazing opportunities and both in a city that I love,” Wright said. “I thank Dr. Mark Bazzell and the Pike County Board of Education for the opportunity to serve as principal of Pike County High School. I have been there for 16 years and that has been a blessing. During that time, I have been involved in the Brundidge community and I am supporter of the city. I look forward to the opportunities and challenges of working in city government.”

As the assistant city manager, Wright said he will have the opportunity to work with and learn from City Manager Britt Thomas, who plans to retire November 2.

“He has been a part of city government for nearly 40 years and has a wealth of knowledge to pass on to me,” Wright said. “I’m ready to get my feet wet under his strong leadership.”

Wright’s salary will be $130,000 annually with an additional $250 monthly car and cell phone allowance. Wright will remain city recreation director. He will replace Thomas, the retiring city manager.

Council Members Michelle Griffin, District 2, Margaret Ross, District 3 and Byron Gaynor, District 5 voted in favor of the Wright’s hiring. Betty Baxter, District 1 and Christ Foster, District 5 were not in attendance.

Wright said his background as a school principal has afforded him many and various opportunities to work with people of all ages. Those experiences will be valuable as he now steps into his new role in city government.

“Mr. Thomas will give me the tools I need to move in the right direction in city administration,” Wright said. “I  enjoy working with people and I am dedicated to serving people. My interest is with the City of Brundidge.”

Brundidge Mayor Isabell Boyd said Wright will be an asset to the city and she looks forward to working with him. “Mr. Wright has been a proven leader at Pike County High School and he has the capabilities to be an outstanding  leader for our city,” Boyd said. “We look forward to working with Willie Wright and welcome him with open arms.”

In other business, the council heard the second readings of the  Flood Prevention Damage Ordinance and the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library Ordinance. Both ordinances updated the current ordinances and were approved by the council.

The council approved an agreement between the city and the South Central Alabama Development Commission to be the administrator of the Community Development Block Grant project. The council also approved an agreement between the City of Brundidge and Poly, Inc. for professional engineering services for the CDBG demolition and water project.

The mayor announced that the Montgomery Food Bank will have a food truck at Galloway Park Friday beginning at 8 a.m. The food items will be distributed to the vehicles. No one is allowed to leave their vehicles. The Brundidge City Council meets at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Brundidge City Hall.