Police chief retirement marks latest Town of Black Mountain departure
Municipality adapts to multiple vacancies, searches for interim fire chief and town clerk
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
November 2, 2026
The Town of Black Mountain will search for a new police chief, following the Dec. 1 retirement of Steve Parker. Photo by Fred McCormick
The Town of Black Mountain is adjusting operations and searching to fill multiple vacancies, following departures in three departments and the upcoming retirement of its police chief, effective Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Steve Parker became the third town employee in the month of October to announce plans to leave their current or previous positions.
The chief accepted his leadership role with BMPD in November of 2021, following a nearly three-decade career that included service in Mecklenburg County and Rock Hill, S.C. He retired as the chief of the department in Tega Cay, S.C., prior to his current tenure in Black Mountain.
“He had been planning it for some time, but he didn’t announce it until Thursday of last week,” said interim town manager, Richard Hicks. “I knew it was coming sooner or later, just not exactly when.”
The announcement came as the town continues its search for an interim fire chief, following the Oct. 6 resignation of John Coffey, who accepted the same position with the Town of Weaverville.
“We have several people who have applied to serve as interim fire chief, and I am reviewing those applications now,” Hicks said. “The department is currently operating in a way where everybody reports directly to their immediate supervisor, so the top person there is the deputy fire chief.”
The town began advertising an upcoming vacancy within its administrative office, Oct. 28, following the resignation of Town Clerk Wesley Barker, who has been in the role since November of 2023. Barker, who accepted a position with another municipality, will leave his office, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Planning and development senior administrator Jennifer Tipton will move, temporarily, to town hall, where she will serve as the interim town clerk, according to Hicks.
“Jennifer Tipton has filled in as interim town clerk at least a couple of times in the past,” the manager said. “We know she understands the job.”
John Coffey, left foreground, announced his resignation as the chief of the Black Mountain Fire Department, Oct. 6, after accepting the same position with the Town of Weaverville. Police chief Steve Parker will retire after Nov. 30. Photo by Fred McCormick
The planning and development department will operate by appointment only, beginning Monday, Nov. 9, due to staff shortages, according to Hicks.
“The chief building inspector is no longer working for the town,” he said. “We’re not yet sure what we’re going to do with that position, but we have requested assistance from Buncombe County.”
Building inspector Ronnie McAbee will coordinate with county staff when necessary, Hicks continued.
“We can call them if there is anything that our building inspector can’t handle,” he said. “We have a meeting scheduled with the county to see exactly how everything will be structured.”
Hicks, appointed as interim town manager last January, will serve in the office through the month of December. The town, which postponed its search for a permanent manager after interviewing one candidate for the position, will re-advertise the vacancy the week of Nov. 2.
The timing coincides with the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election, which will determine a new mayor and three seats on the town council.
“Hopefully they will have applicants by the end of the month, so they can be reviewed by the new council in the December meeting,” Hicks said. “My anticipation is it will still be February or March before they can complete the interviews, do background checks and select a person, who may have to put in notice.”
A second, short-term interim manager could be employed to bridge the gap, he added.