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The Newburgh City Council has appointed Jason Morris, the city's Public Works Commissioner, as interim city manager, following the departure of outgoing manager Todd Venning. The decision was made during the council's session on Monday (March 23), marking Morris as the fifty-sixth person to hold the position in the 100-year history of Newburgh's city manager-led government, according to Mid Hudson News.
Venning, the fifty-fifth city manager, did not attend the meeting, and the council opted not to appoint his deputy, Michael Neppl, as interim manager. Instead, Morris will serve in the role until lawmakers select a permanent replacement.
The city manager post in Newburgh has historically seen frequent turnover, with the average tenure lasting two to three years. Notably, Harry Porr holds the record for longest service at nine years and is now deputy Orange County executive. Over the past century, city records show that ten managers were terminated, twenty-two resigned, and one died while in office.
The city council has not yet announced a timeline for hiring a permanent city manager.