City council tonight welcomed and swore in new City Manager Joseph Scherer.

Carl Ferebee, serving as mayor pro-tem in the absence of Mayor Emery Doughtie, said in introducing the new city manager, he was experienced in working with extremely tight budgets like the ones the city has contended with for the past several years.

“I thank council for the confidence they had in me,” Scherer said following his swearing in.

In a recent phone interview with Scherer, the new city manager said, “I’m very much looking forward to seeing what I can do to help the community and see if I can help move it forward.”

Scherer, who retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel, is familiar with the area. “I like the people down there. I’m not looking to leave for a larger city, I thought it would be a good fit for my skill set.”

Ferebee greets the new city manager.

The city manager said, “I’m hoping to utilize budget and tax resources to maximize building maintenance and keep the workforce moving with best possible resources we can give them. I’m hoping to increase the level of regional and state provided resources to help Roanoke Rapids and the area to improve.”

In his past city government work in Ohio, Scherer said he was able to obtain large amounts of grants and low interest loans for water treatment, parks and streets. “We implemented code enforcement to become a better place to live and work.”

Nelsonville, where he left to take the Roanoke Rapids job was named best hometown in southeast Ohio by Ohio Magazine.

Scherer was impressed with council when he interviewed for the job. “I believe they are a professional group and definitely care. They are positioned for future growth.”

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 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.