Doug Hay steps down from Black Mountain Town Council

Local government turnover continues with second board resignation in two months

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 30, 2026

Doug Hay, center, announces, June 30, his immediate resignation from the Black Mountain Town Council. Photo by Fred McCormick

Changes within the Town of Black Mountain government continued, June 30, when Doug Hay announced his resignation from the town council.

Hay, who was elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024, became the second local elected official to step down since April, when Pam King relinquished her position, moving out of the state.

Hay cited family considerations when he read a statement to to his fellow town council members and the public, during a special call meeting to adopt the town’s 2026-27 budget. The decision, he said, was “incredibly difficult.”

”Like I’m sure it has for many of my colleagues, serving has come at a real cost for my family,” he said. “I was first elected just two months after my youngest daughter was born, and while I’ve worked extremely hard since being elected to juggle the demands of a young family, working full time and giving the town council the attention it deserves, that balance has become impossible to maintain.”

Hay’s resignation was effective immediately after his announcement.

“I would do the town a disservice by continuing in a role in which I can no longer fully give,” he said. “With the budget resolved, elections ahead and a new phase of recovery beginning, I believe now is the right time to make this transition.”

Town staff and community members face “real and significant” challenges moved forward, he added.

“I’ve had a front seat view of what this community is capable of when we work together, and I know they are not insurmountable,” Hay said. “I firmly believe the path forward is collaboration and problem solving, not blame and division, because we are, and always will be, neighbors first.”

In his statement, the former council member expressed gratitude to the citizens and elected officials of the municipality.

“Thank you to this community for the trust you placed in me, thank you to my fellow council members for taking up what comes next and thank you to my family, who has sacrificed so much so I can serve,” Hay said. “I’m extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity. Black Mountain is my home and I can’t imagine a better community to raise my family.”

Hay’s resignation came approximately nine weeks after King, who was also elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024, announced her plans to step down and move to the west coast to be closer to family members. The turnover on the town council comes as the municipality searches for a permanent town manager, following the resignation of the previous administrator, who left the office last January.

The remaining members of the town council will appoint a person who is at least 21 years old and registered to vote to fill the vacancy left by Hay’s departure. Individuals interested in filling the seat can apply, through the town, to be considered for appointment.