Tamrya Spradlin, who has been serving as Bristol’s interim city manager since the January departure of Randy Eads, has been promoted to the permanent role.
In a unanimous vote Tuesday night, the city council made the appointment following a closed session dealing with personnel.
“I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of the city of Bristol in a new role,” she said. “The city of Bristol has an amazing group of employees. I’m fortunate to get to work with them every day and I look forward to leading the team forward. … Our focus will continue to be to improve the financial position of the city, to create an environment of financial stability and to work hard to get better every day.”
After serving as city manager and city attorney for nine years, Eads resigned in mid-January to go to work as general counsel for Jay Jones, the state’s new attorney general. The council is in the process of hiring a separate city attorney.
Spradlin started working for the city in March 2017, when she became chief financial officer. In May 2023, she was promoted to assistant city manager.
A certified public accountant, she has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Christopher Newport University. She has worked in local government for 23 years, according to the city’s website.
Spradlin’s annual salary will be $185,000, she said in an email Wednesday. For both roles, Eads was paid $193,543 per year.
Mayor Jake Holmes thanked Spradlin for her years of service and for stepping into the city’s top role when needed.
“Just knowing what I’ve seen over the last couple of months. … We’ve seen you step into this role already and just the fantastic impact you’ve had,” he said. “Thank you for what you do and what you’re going to do.”