North Myrtle Beach City Manager Mike Mahaney Placed on Administrative Leave Following Council Vote

North Myrtle Beach City Manager Mike Mahaney Removed

In a surprising turn of events, the North Myrtle Beach City Council held a special meeting on September 19, 2024, that decided the fate of city manager Mike Mahaney. The big news? Mahaney was placed on administrative leave after a vote that went 5-2 in favor of his removal. This decision was rooted in Mahaney’s failure to hire a Grants Coordinator despite being urged to do so by multiple city council members back in February. Talk about a twist!

What Happened at the Meeting?

Things kicked off with an Executive Session, and it wasn’t long before Mahaney held an impromptu talk with the media and public. He was handing out his resume and some slides from a previous presentation when he was interrupted by City Attorney Chris Noury. It seems Mahaney was advised to hold off on speaking to avoid any potential controversy. He left the room briefly and returned to tell everyone, “I don’t want to offend anybody,” before exiting stage left.

The core reason for his removal? According to the council, Mahaney didn’t follow through with hiring a grants coordinator when he had been asked repeatedly. It’s not exactly the start of a great chapter in his career, especially after being with North Myrtle Beach for nearly 14 years as their city manager.

A Councillor Vote Like No Other

The council members had their work cut out for them as they made this tough decision. Voting in favor were Mayor Marilyn Hatley, Mayor Pro Tem JO Baldwin, and council members Clarence ‘Bubba’ Collins, Ray ‘Trey’ Skidmore, and Harry ‘Hank’ Thomas. On the flip side, council members Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fontana and Jon ‘Fred’ Coyne voted against it. This split decision showcases the differing opinions within the council on Mahaney’s leadership.

A New Interim Manager Takes Charge

Once the votes were cast, the council didn’t waste any time. They decided to move Assistant City Manager Ryan Fabbri into the role of acting city manager immediately. It’s going to be a new ballgame for North Myrtle Beach as Fabbri steps into this position while the city searches for a permanent replacement for Mahaney.

Looking Back and What’s Next

Mahaney’s journey with North Myrtle Beach hasn’t been without its bumps. His tenure has been marred by various controversies over the past few years, including an investigation over alleged assault, and even a curious incident of wearing a police-issued body camera at a groundbreaking ceremony. His annual salary was about $253,000, with an additional $1,000 a month allowance. It’s quite the package, but clearly, things didn’t unfold as planned in recent months.

What’s next for Mahaney? As per state law, he has the right to request a public hearing within five days of receiving his removal notice. This could get interesting!

For North Myrtle Beach residents, this situation is more than just council politics—it’s about the future direction of our community. Let’s stay tuned and see how this chapter unfolds. We’ll keep you updated on any developments as this story progresses.