By Randy Arrington
LURAY, Nov. 30 — Just before 9 a.m. this morning, Town Manager Steve Burke sent an email to each member of the Luray Council announcing his resignation, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Burke plans to return to the same job he held before signing a contract with Luray in 2018.
“Following outreach from the City of Manassas, I have accepted the position of Director of Public Works with the City,” Burke stated in the Nov. 30 email. “My last day with the Town of Luray will be Monday, January 1st.”
Burke served as the public works director in Manassas for 18 months before accepting a two-year contract to become Town Manager of Luray in March 2018. Now, after four annual renewals of that contract and nearly six years of leading Luray through several milestones — including the COVID-19 pandemic, monument damage, protest marches, the construction of Jenkins Hall (Laurel Ridge Community College) and replacing the West Main Street bridge — Burke is returning to his old job.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve Luray and to help develop a path for its future. The staff of Luray are amazing and will continue to serve the next Manager well,” Burke’s email stated. “I will be working with staff to transition the work that I’ve been doing to minimize impact when I leave.”
No information has been disseminated by the Town at this time on when a new town manger may be hired or if an interim manager will be needed until a full-time replacement can be found. With only 31 days until Burke’s official departure, an interim manager seems likely, unless the council hires from within.
Before heading to Manassas the first time to become director of Public Works in 2016, Burke served as town manager in Front Royal for about six years.
“My decision was a difficult one because of the friendships and relationships with the amazing staff and Council at Luray,” Burke told PVN on Thursday.
Burke was initially hired at annual salary of $118,000 and received several increases over the four years following his initial two-year contract. He leaves just prior to his current contract’s expiration in early March 2024.
For more information about the Town of Luray,
visit https://www.townofluray.com/
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So sorry to hear Steve Burke is leaving Luray. He has been an excellent town manager. Always open to hearing comments and questions and got back to me quickly with responses. I believe the town has functioned well under his leadership. Best wishes to him in his next adventure.
Steve was a great support to me. I will miss him.