Stanley council approves personnel policy changes after hearing; vote 4-1

The Stanley Town Council voted 4–1 on Dec. 1 to adopt amendments to the town personnel policy, following a public hearing and questions from residents.

Town Clerk Olga McGinnis told the council the town had worked with the North Carolina League of Municipalities to update the policy to comply with state law and close gaps in existing language. Among the changes cited, McGinnis said the packet removed language requiring staff who file to run for elected office to immediately resign; instead, staff may run for council and would be required to resign only if elected.

Two residents spoke during the hearing. Brendan Sweeney urged the council not to vote that evening, saying the hearing was called on short notice over the Thanksgiving break and that the public had insufficient time to review materials. Catherine Nolan raised conflict-of-interest concerns if council members later became town employees, including the possibility of influencing contracts or pay and limits on department heads’ ability to discipline employees who also serve on the council.

Clerk McGinnis responded that a separate section (Section 3, Chapter 3.6) limiting appointments and employment of relatives was not amended, and she clarified that the town charter vests final termination authority with the town manager, not department heads. Manager Heath R. Jenkins added that the structure provides an important appeal process for employees.

Council Member Marsha Miskelly moved to approve the amendments; Council Member Leigh Anna Helms seconded. Council Member Chase Hannifin opposed the motion, saying he “did not know much about the matter.” The motion passed 4–1.

The amendments were presented as technical and legal updates recommended by municipal HR professionals; the clerk said changed sections were highlighted in red in the packet provided to council members. No further ordinance numbers or statutory citations were given at the meeting.