City Council tonight unanimously selected Joseph Scherer of Nelsonville, Ohio, as new city manager effective August 14.

He currently serves as manager there and has been manager of the city since October of 2007, a Roanoke Rapids press statement released this evening says.

His other municipal experience includes service as administrative director and chief of staff of Chillicothe, Ohio, for four years where he managed a $4 million budget.

Mayor Emery Doughtie said in the statement, “The city council and I have carefully reviewed the applicants and we have devoted a great deal of time to this selection process.”

Doughtie said in the statement the city based its decision on Scherer’s experience and success. “We feel that Mr. Scherer will be a most effective manager for us and he will provide the needed administrative leadership to meet the upcoming city challenges. Mr. Scherer’s experience in working with exceptionally tight budgets, the Main Street program and economic development, and especially his work in intergovernmental relations will be most beneficial to the city.”

Doughtie also thanked Interim City Manager Ed Wyatt for his assistance for more than a year and his help in recruiting a city manager.

“I’ll certainly miss Roanoke Rapids,” Wyatt said following the meeting.

Scherer was an assistant professor of military science at the Ohio University in the ROTC program and was a student administrator for Ohio University. He retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel and holds many professional memberships and has participated in several community programs.

Scherer will be paid $85,000 a year and will be given a car allowance of $350 per month plus out of county mileage for city business. He will be provided a city cell phone and the city will pay for his moving expenses. He must establish permanent residency in the city within six months of employment.