Suffolk News-Herald

Although details are still being ironed out, the Suffolk City Council on Wednesday voted 7-0 to make Assistant City Manager R. Steven Herbert the city’s new administrator.

Th action taken by council authorized Mayor E. Dana Dickens III to continue employment negotiations with Herbert. The council is expected to approve his contract at its next meeting.

Herbert is replacing retiring City Manager Myles E. Standish, who will be staying on through the end of this month.

Herbert, a six-year veteran with the city, is expected to assume his new position early next month.

Among his top priorities will be continuing the city’s strong economic development programs and strengthening efforts in neighborhoods and communications, he said recently.

Herbert has overseen the strategic planning and development activities in the planning, economic development, downtown development, public utilities, and neighborhood development.