North Myrtle Beach City Council Considers Placing City Manager on Paid Administrative Leave

Big Changes Ahead for North Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach is buzzing with news as the city council prepares for a special meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. The reason for all the excitement? They’re considering putting current city manager Mike Mahaney on paid administrative leave. Yes, you heard that right! This move comes as the council evaluates a final decision on his position, which has been under scrutiny for a while now.

A Sudden Decision

The announcement arrived just a day before the meeting, leaving many residents scratching their heads. Mahaney, who has held the city manager role since 2010 and earns a hefty $253,000 a year, has had quite a colorful tenure. His career has been far from simple, with two previous firings from city management jobs in Florida before landing here. He claims those job losses were due to political shifts, a point that adds an intriguing backdrop to this latest news.

If the council votes to place him on leave, the assistant city manager, Ryan Fabbri, will take over as acting city manager. It’s a significant responsibility, and we’ll all be watching closely to see how it unfolds.

The Legal Stuff

Now, about that legal background: the council is operating under South Carolina Code § 5-13-70. This law states that the city manager serves at the council’s pleasure, and if they decide to remove him, they’ll need to provide written reasons. Mahaney will then have a chance to respond and request a public hearing within five days. It sounds like a bit of a legal labyrinth, but it’s all part of how local government keeps itself in check.

What’s Been Happening?

There’s definitely been a buzz around Mahaney’s leadership as city manager. This summer, he applied for a similar role in Fernandina Beach, which sparked even more conversation. As he pointed out in a recent statement, he’s “very proud” of his team and their accomplishments, which include building a 260-acre sports complex and managing a whopping $208 million budget. He’s made some significant impacts here, but not all of that has come without controversy.

One particularly notable incident involved a police-issued body camera that Mahaney wore to a public event; reports say it was never turned on, leading to whispers and questions about the purpose behind that choice. And just last year, he found himself in hot water after allegations arose from a local business owner. An investigation revealed that not enough evidence existed to pursue criminal charges against him, but it certainly raised eyebrows among residents.

The Bigger Picture

As we gear up for the meeting on the 19th, folks in North Myrtle Beach are divided on how to feel about Mahaney’s possible administrative leave. Some praise the accomplishments under his leadership, while others question his suitability for the position given the controversies. Tensions are high, and it will be fascinating to see how the council members navigate this situation. Will they stand by their long-time city manager, or is it time for a change?

So, What’s Next?

Tomorrow’s meeting will certainly be one for the books. If you’re in the area, it might be worth attending to see firsthand how the council conducts its business and makes decisions that affect us all. Regardless of what happens, one thing is clear: the future of North Myrtle Beach is riding on this decision!

Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to develop!