St. Albans city councilman resigns

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St. Albans City Council member has resigned.

Terry McKinney, who represents Ward 1, will retire effective Oct. 31, 2025.

St. Albans City Council members voted to accept McKinney's resignation during their Oct. 20 regularly scheduled meeting, 

McKinney was not present at Monday’s meeting, and council members did not give a reason for his resignation during the assembly.

The Kanawha Valley Update has reached out to the councilman and other city leaders for comment but had not heard back as of Tuesday evening.

McKinney ran unopposed for the Ward 1 seat in 2024. The ward encompasses a busy section with business and residential properties on the city’s northwestern end. It includes a portion of the municipality that runs from the Kanawha River to Kanawha Terrace. Ward 1 is bordered by the Coal River to the west and Washington Street/Boone Street to the east.

St. Albans Ward Map / Google Maps

After voting to accept McKinney’s resignation on Monday, council members chose to declare a vacancy in Ward 1. The referendum gives council members the ability to nominate and, through a voting process, appoint a new candidate to the open position.

The new council member must be a resident living in Ward 1.

Because the position is filled by nomination, interested candidates should contact the mayor’s office or a member of council to express interest in the vacancy.

Council members will nominate candidates for the seat during their Nov. 3 meeting. The panel will then vote to fill the vacancy during their Nov. 17 gathering.

The new council person is expected to serve the remainder of McKinney’s four-year term.