Randy Martin will return as interim city manager for Morehead City beginning May 1, following unanimous approval of his employment agreement by the City Council on April 14. The council had previously voted to hire him during a special meeting on March 17, pending contract negotiations.
Martin brings over four decades of experience in government leadership, including serving as Morehead City’s manager from August 1995 to February 2012. His background also includes roles as interim and full-time manager in several municipalities, such as Havelock, Emerald Isle, Clewiston in Florida, and Franklin in Virginia. He was also city manager of King, North Carolina for eleven years prior to joining Morehead City’s staff in 1995.
In his new role as interim city manager, Martin is expected to serve up to five months at an average of twenty hours per week. He will receive compensation of $100 per hour and a $200 monthly stipend but will not be eligible for employee health or other personnel-related benefits. His tenure will continue until a permanent full-time manager is selected.
Since retiring from full-time public service in 2024 after five years with Clewiston, Florida, Martin has held several interim positions including two stints with Emerald Isle and most recently with Havelock since November 2025. In addition to these posts, he worked as a community planner for the State of North Carolina and served Stokes County in various capacities over nearly five decades.
The City Council has expressed anticipation about working alongside Martin once again. As a resident of Morehead City himself, this appointment holds particular significance for him.
During another special meeting on March 31, the council voted to hire an external firm tasked with finding candidates for the next full-time city manager position. Further details about this search process are expected to be released when available.
