SALISBURY –Various departments within the city of Salisbury organization will now report directly to the municipality’s Assistant City Managers Zack Kyle and John Sofley.

The change is effective Monday, Sept. 19.

Sixteen months ago, all city department leaders reported directly to City Manager Lane Bailey, while assistant city managers supervised a limited group of staff members and special assignments as needed.

Going forward, Assistant City Manager Zack Kyle, who already manages the human resources and planning departments, will now add engineering and parks and recreation to his group.

Assistant City Manager John Sofley currently leads public services, transit and telecommunications, but will pick up management of Salisbury-Rowan Utilities.

Administration, communications, finance, police, fire and Fibrant, including information technology, will continue to report directly to Bailey.

“I believe the city of Salisbury is now in a stronger position to further develop efficiencies across all of our service areas,” said Bailey.“This change in reporting relationships for these specific departments will allow Zack and John’s experiences with our community to better enhance our strengths and more readily identify areas in which we need to improve. I am grateful that we have two seasoned individuals who fully support my and City Council’s vision for a stronger Salisbury.”

Kyle initially came to Salisbury in 2009 as director of human resources after a similar stint with the city of Radford in Virginia. He has been an assistant city manager since 2012.

He graduated from Radford University in 1979, with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He is also a graduate of the Public Executive Leadership Academy at UNC-Chapel Hill and Leadership Rowan.

Sofley has been with the city for nearly 30 years and previously served as director of finance before being appointed assistant city manager in 2011. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western Carolina University and is a Certified Public Accountant.