June 7, 2026
Water Director resigns
John Coffelt, Editor
According to Mayor Joey Hobbs, Manchester Water Department Director Jeffrey Perry resigned effective 12:40 p.m., Monday, Sept. 15.
The city has tentatively offered the interim position to Assistant Director Lonnie Foley until a permanent hire can be made.
The Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted 4-0 at the April 2, 2024 meeting to offer an employment contract for Director of Water and Sewer to Jeffrey Perry formerly of Brownsville, Tennessee.
Perry was the only finalist for the position interviewed during a work session held prior to the meeting. His salary request was $100,000 per year.
In a statement on social media, Hobbs said the following:
“I want to thank Mr. Perry for his time with the Manchester Water and Sewer Department. We wish him the best. While changes in leadership can be challenging, I want to assure the citizens of Manchester that the delivery of safe, reliable water and wastewater services remains our highest priority. Our water department staff will continue to work hard every day to maintain strong operations and provide the essential services our residents depend on.
I want to assure our citizens that BOMA remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the long-term success of our city services. This includes necessary changes and improvements in our MWSD. As with any organization, differences about the best path forward can arise, but I made a commitment during the mayoral race to improve our city services for our citizens, and I remain fully committed to that promise. The Board and City leadership will move quickly to ensure continuity, and we appreciate the community’s support as we move forward together.”
John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.