Morgantown City Manager Terrence Moore announced his resignation Monday.
Moore said he was stepping down to take the same position in College Park, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta with more than 13,000 residents.
WAJR previously reported Moore had interviewed for several positions around the country. As a guest on Morgantown AM last week, Moore several cities expressed interest in his services.
Council hired Moore more than two years ago after longtime City Manager Dan Boroff stepped down.
On Monday, Moore said he was proud of his time in the University City.
“I think we’ve done a great deal to steer the city of Morgantown in a good direction long term,” Moore said. “There are some short-term challenges associated with getting to that place, but in the long term, it’s in everybody’s best interest across the board.”
Moore said Monday that he always intended to stay longer in Morgantown, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity in College Park.
“When I first came on board in Morgantown, I was hoping to stay here for five to 10 years,” Moore said. “That was my hope, my goal. That may have still been possible. Yet, at the same time, opportunities come when they come.”
Rumors have swirled at City Hall about Moore’s future with Morgantown. Mayor Jim Manilla denied any councilors pushed Moore from the city.
“No, he wasn’t forced out,” the mayor said. “He did inform us. We knew people were trying to contact him. We wish him all the luck.”
The relationship between Moore and some members of council appeared rocky at times. However, Moore said that never affected his job performance.
“My approach in that regard is to keep it professional and positive no matter what,” Moore said. “I worked with all seven members of council.”
College Park also has 500 city employees and a $115 million budget.
Moore’s last day is Feb 1.