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Henderson swears in Hassan T. Kingsberry as city manager and city attorney; resident raises conflict-of-interest concerns
Summary
Hassan T. Kingsberry was sworn in Jan. 13 as Henderson’s city manager and city attorney. During public comment a resident warned that combining the two roles could create a conflict; Kingsberry said he checked with the NC League of Municipalities and the UNC School of Government and would seek outside counsel if needed.
Hassan T. Kingsberry was sworn in as Henderson City Manager and City Attorney at the City Council’s regular virtual meeting on Jan. 13, 2025. Judge J. Henry Banks administered the oath while Mr. Kingsberry’s family stood by, and Apostle Joann Evans offered a prayer following the ceremony.
The swearing-in prompted public comment about potential conflicts created by one person holding both executive and legal authority. Resident Melissa Lemmond told the council she was concerned about appointing a single individual to both roles and asked the council to consider whether that arrangement could impair independent decision-making. The minutes record that Ms. Lemmond said her critique was not personal but grounded in concern over the dual appointment. Clerk’s notes show the council later corrected a drafting error in CAF 25-04 (see related coverage) that had described listed parcels as “personal” rather than “real” property.
Manager Kingsberry addressed the council and the public, thanking Mayor Melissa Elliott and councilmembers and describing personal background details. He said he had checked with the North Carolina League of Municipalities and the UNC School of Government and identified four counties with a similar combined city manager/city attorney arrangement. Kingsberry told the council he would not infringe on free speech at meetings, that he intended to serve honestly and transparently, and that he would secure outside counsel if a conflict of interest arose in his dual role.
The exchange established the practical guardrails the manager proposed: adherence to applicable North Carolina statutes and the option to retain outside legal counsel in any matter where a conflict might exist. The council did not take further formal action on the dual appointment during the Jan. 13 meeting.
The council adjourned at 7:15 p.m.; Manager Kingsberry’s new dual role and the public concerns raised at the meeting are likely to inform future oversight, procedural clarifications and any requests for outside counsel should a conflict surface.
