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Salisbury City Manager announces retirement

Salisbury City Manager announces retirement

W. Lane Bailey, Salisbury city manager, announced his intention to retire in December 2021, after 32 years of local government service.        

This is an exciting time for me and my family as I look forward to the next season of my life and career,” said Bailey. “Each year as we close out the budget year and begin another, I like to reflect on the year’s previous accomplishments. This past year has certainly been both challenging and historic as we navigated the global pandemic. The past few weeks as I have reflected, I fully realize that I have had a blessed life. I feel very fortunate to have worked with great people committed to improving our community.”

“On behalf of City Council and the residents, we can’t thank Lane enough for his leadership in accomplishing Council’s goals,” said Mayor Karen Alexander. “Lane, through his servant leadership, righted the ship with Fibrant, diversified the management team with top-notch talent, and improved community relations through providing a ‘listening bridge’ between residents and local government. We wish him and his family the very best as he enters this new chapter. City Council will begin the initial search for Lane’s successor immediately, ensuring transparency in respect to the candidates’ privacy.”

Bailey began his local government career in 1989 as a city manager intern with the city of Galax, Virginia. He went on to serve several North Carolina communities in positions that included budget analyst in Gaston County, N.C., and assistant county manager and county manager in Polk County. In 2000, he was named city manager of King, N.C., a position he held for four years until he accepted the position of city manager of Lenoir, N.C. He assumed his current position as city manager of Salisbury in 2015. 

Since arriving in Salisbury, Bailey has sought innovative solutions to critical issues in Salisbury such as creating “Community Conversations” and “Chit Chat & Chew,” listening sessions held in various neighborhoods where City staff provided updates on City initiatives and services. In addition, understanding the need for accessibility, Bailey implemented “Meet the Manager” -- a monthly open office hour held the first Monday of each month. Bailey also successfully led the transition of the city’s municipality owned broadband utility to a public/private partnership that will benefit the City financially and provide continued broadband services. 

Bailey has been a member of International City and County Manager Association (ICMA) since 1989 and the North Carolina City & County Management Association. He earned ICMA-Credentialed Manager status, the highest professional designation bestowed by the association, in 2002, and received an ICMA Service Award in recognition of his 25 years of service to local government.

Bailey earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Appalachian State University in 1987 and a Master of Public Administration from the same institution in 1989.

 

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Monthly Newsletter

 TitleDescription
09/2025Craft Beer Bubbles Over at BTG | BlockWork: We’re Looking for Volunteers | A New Addition to the Salisbury Sculpture Show
08/2025Beautify Your Block: City offers Grant Support | Explore the Outdoors: Salisbury Parks | Applications Now Open for the City of Salisbury Youth Council
07/2025A Night Out For Our Community | Back-to-School Bash: Community Day | Prepare For Hurricane Season
06/2025Lighting the Way and Giving Back | Legacy Mural | City Budget Review
05/2025Rock Out at Cheerwine Festival | Cheers for Shirt Design Winner | Festival Shuttle Service | Festival Information
04/2025Statewide Litter Sweep, Fair Housing Month, BlockWork Call For Neighborhoods, Sidewalk Poetry Call For Poets, Paint the Pavement Call for Artists
03/2025Cheerwine Festival T-Shirt Contest, Spring Spruce Up Week, Protect Your Water Bill, Pilot Traffic Circle
02/2025Tips For Cold Weather, Cheerwine Festival on May 17, Join A City Board, Tree Give-A-Away
12/2024Holiday Contests | Spruce Up Week | Sculpture Show Call For Artists | Empire Hotel Phase 1
11/2024Holiday Events | Safe Shopping Tips | Toss The Grease | Greenway Committee | 130 S. Main St. Survey
11/2024Holiday Events | Safe Shopping Tips | Toss The Grease | Greenway Committee | 130 S. Main St. Survey
11/2024Holiday Events | Safe Shopping Tips | Toss The Grease | Greenway Committee | 130 S. Main St. Survey
09/2024Downtown Sewer Rehab | BrewFest at BTG | BlockWork Volunteers | Neighborhood Beautification Grant | Legacy Mural
09/2024Downtown Sewer Rehab | BrewFest at BTG | BlockWork Volunteers | Neighborhood Beautification Grant | Legacy Mural
09/2024Downtown Sewer Rehab | BrewFest at BTG | BlockWork Volunteers | Neighborhood Beautification Grant | Legacy Mural
06/2024EDK Awards | Street Repaving | City Budget | Rec/Senior Center Survey | Spruce Up Week
06/2024EDK Awards | Street Repaving | City Budget | Rec/Senior Center Survey | Spruce Up Week
06/2024EDK Awards | Street Repaving | City Budget | Rec/Senior Center Survey | Spruce Up Week
12/2023Public Art | Holiday Decor Contest | Main Street Project | Winter Spruce Up Week
01/2023Downtown Decor Displays Holiday Spirit | MLK Celebration | Humanitarian Nominations | Wine About Winter Tickets On Sale | Reader Survey
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
10/2022Tips for Trick-or-Treaters | United Way Rowan | Crime Prevention Month | 4th Cultivating Community Conversations | Leaf Collection
08/2022Kudos To Lifeguards | Grant to Fund Flood, Road Sensors | Funds for Family Water Bills | City Awarded For Good Health
08/2022Kudos To Lifeguards | Grant to Fund Flood, Road Sensors | Funds for Family Water Bills | City Awarded For Good Health
08/2022Kudos To Lifeguards | Grant to Fund Flood, Road Sensors | Funds for Family Water Bills | City Awarded For Good Health
08/2022Kudos To Lifeguards | Grant to Fund Flood, Road Sensors | Funds for Family Water Bills | City Awarded For Good Health
08/2022Kudos To Lifeguards | Grant to Fund Flood, Road Sensors | Funds for Family Water Bills | City Awarded For Good Health
04/2022Two Headline Bands To Rock Cheerwine Festival | Spotlight on Fire Safety | Salisbury Locals Win Big at NC Main Street Awards
04/2022Two Headline Bands To Rock Cheerwine Festival | Spotlight on Fire Safety | Salisbury Locals Win Big at NC Main Street Awards
04/2022Two Headline Bands To Rock Cheerwine Festival | Spotlight on Fire Safety | Salisbury Locals Win Big at NC Main Street Awards
04/2022Two Headline Bands To Rock Cheerwine Festival | Spotlight on Fire Safety | Salisbury Locals Win Big at NC Main Street Awards
04/2022Two Headline Bands To Rock Cheerwine Festival | Spotlight on Fire Safety | Salisbury Locals Win Big at NC Main Street Awards
12/2021Be A Part of Our Public Art | SRU Recognized For Quality | Don't let FOG Take Your Holiday Down the Drain
12/2021Be A Part of Our Public Art | SRU Recognized For Quality | Don't let FOG Take Your Holiday Down the Drain
10/2021Fire Prevention Week | BlockWork Looking For Volunteers | Leaf Collection Map
10/2021Fire Prevention Week | BlockWork Looking For Volunteers | Leaf Collection Map
10/2021Fire Prevention Week | BlockWork Looking For Volunteers | Leaf Collection Map
10/2021Fire Prevention Week | BlockWork Looking For Volunteers | Leaf Collection Map
08/2021Rowan Creek Week | Back-to-School Resource Fair | New Crime Information Center | Blockwork Awarded Lowe's Grant For $100,000
01/2021Holiday Storefront Winners, Celebrate MLK, Main St. Plan, Nominate A Local Hero, Funds For Fire Suppression
01/2021Holiday Storefront Winners, Celebrate MLK, Main St. Plan, Nominate A Local Hero, Funds For Fire Suppression
01/2021Holiday Storefront Winners, Celebrate MLK, Main St. Plan, Nominate A Local Hero, Funds For Fire Suppression
01/2021Holiday Storefront Winners, Celebrate MLK, Main St. Plan, Nominate A Local Hero, Funds For Fire Suppression
12/2020SRU Exceeds Water Standard | Bring On 2021 Virtual New Year's Eve | Public Input Wanted
12/2020SRU Exceeds Water Standard | Bring On 2021 Virtual New Year's Eve | Public Input Wanted
08/2020Shop Local | Lock Your Car | Utility Bills | Enjoy Art Outdoors | Census Extended
08/2020Shop Local | Lock Your Car | Utility Bills | Enjoy Art Outdoors | Census Extended
08/2020Shop Local | Lock Your Car | Utility Bills | Enjoy Art Outdoors | Census Extended
07/2020Citizen's Academy | Mobile Recreation | Keep Our Parks Beautiful | Recycling Can Swap | Employee Spotlight
02/2020Weathering The Storm | Nixle Is Now RoCo Alerts | EyeOnWater Is Smart On Money | Cheerwine Festival Returns May 16 | Employee Spotlight | Census 2020
02/2020Weathering The Storm | Nixle Is Now RoCo Alerts | EyeOnWater Is Smart On Money | Cheerwine Festival Returns May 16 | Employee Spotlight | Census 2020
01/2020EDK Nominations | Runner-Friendly Community | Start/Change Water Services | Cheerwine Applications | Employee Spotlight | Winterize Your Pipes | Winter Spruce Up
08/2019Salisbury Youth Employees | New SPD Initiatives | Youth Baseball Camp | Brewbury Fest Returns | Recycling
08/2019Salisbury Youth Employees | New SPD Initiatives | Youth Baseball Camp | Brewbury Fest Returns | Recycling
08/2019Salisbury Youth Employees | New SPD Initiatives | Youth Baseball Camp | Brewbury Fest Returns | Recycling
08/2019Salisbury Youth Employees | New SPD Initiatives | Youth Baseball Camp | Brewbury Fest Returns | Recycling
08/2019Salisbury Youth Employees | New SPD Initiatives | Youth Baseball Camp | Brewbury Fest Returns | Recycling
08/2019Salisbury Youth Employees | New SPD Initiatives | Youth Baseball Camp | Brewbury Fest Returns | Recycling
08/2019Salisbury Youth Employees | New SPD Initiatives | Youth Baseball Camp | Brewbury Fest Returns | Recycling
08/2019Salisbury Youth Employees | New SPD Initiatives | Youth Baseball Camp | Brewbury Fest Returns | Recycling
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
05/2019Look Behind the Scenes | Cheerwine Festival | BlockWork Accepting Applications | #FeelingCuteChallenge | Watch Your Water Usage with EyeOnWater
04/2019Festival Music Lineup | Locals Receive EDK Awards | Business with the City | SPD Foot Pursuit 5K | City Nature Challenge

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