Michael Resare out as Beckley City Manager

By Autumn Shelton, RealWV

BECKLEY, W.Va. — The city of Beckley has been left without a city manager following the resignation of Michael Resare. 

On Monday, the Beckley Common Council held a special session to discuss Resare’s resignation. 

City attorney Bill File explained that Resare’s resignation is effective immediately, and that he will receive severance pay amounting to four months of his salary as well as insurance coverage.

Resare negotiated an additional one month in his severance package, according to File. 

Additionally, File stated that the city and Resare are to make no negative comments about the other party. 

Following this announcement, council held an emergency session to name Mayor Ryan Neal as an interim signatory for the city of Beckley. 

Resare was in his position for a little less than two months. He was sworn in as city manager on December 6, 2024, following a lengthy recruitment process. At that time, under terms of his employment, Resare accepted a $126,200 annual salary with a four-year contract.

In January 2024, council voted, in a 4 to 3 vote, to transition the city from a strong mayor form of government to a city manager form of government.

No mention was made during the meeting about a replacement for Resare.