BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (WLOS) — Two days after the Town of Black Mountain publicly acknowledged serious inspection mistakes tied to Black Mountain Brewing’s upper deck, errors that the town says could have violated state law, town manager Josh Harrold has resigned.
Harrold, who has served as town manager since 2018, submitted his resignation on Wednesday, Dec. 10. His last day will be January 26, 2026. The announcement follows weeks of growing public scrutiny surrounding the town’s oversight of building inspections and code enforcement.
In his resignation letter, Harrold said his “values no longer align with the council’s values,” adding that it was “the right time for new leadership.”
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At Monday night’s council meeting, Black Mountain Planning Director Michelle Kennedy read a new statement, publicly acknowledging, for the first time, mistakes made by former inspection employees.
The town said, “previous employees made mistakes in administering state law,” and noted that at least one inspector involved is no longer certified to enforce the North Carolina Building Code. The town has not clarified whether the inspector lacked proper certification at the time the brewery’s work was approved, or only after leaving employment.
Mayor Mike Sobol told News 13 he was surprised by Harrold’s resignation but believes the decision reflects mounting community pressure.
“I was stunned,” Sobol said. “Josh and I have not seen eye to eye for several years but I think it’s going to be good for the citizens because the citizens have spoken up.”
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Sobol also pushed back against Harrold’s resignation letter, which framed the departure as a disagreement over values.
“It’s always been more of a power play,” Sobol said. “He wanted things done his way instead of what the council wanted.”
DEC. 8, 2025 – Black Mountain Brewing owner John Richardson addressed council members directly. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
Sobol said the brewery’s inspection problems, including work approved by former inspector Charlie Russell, raise serious questions about oversight inside the planning and permitting department.
“Someone was approving work who was not being supervised properly,” he said. “Bottom line, he was not qualified at the time.”
Sobol added that businesses should not have been expected to catch the town’s inspection mistakes themselves.
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“That’s on us,” Sobol said. “We failed to provide proper oversight.”
Last week, Harrold wrote in an email to News 13 that the brewery situation was “a story that isn’t a story.” Sobol said the community clearly disagrees.
“It is definitely a story,” Sobol said. “Not only Black Mountain Brewing, but the way other businesses were treated. People in town are very frustrated.”
Attendance at Monday’s council meeting was one of the largest in recent memory, according to town staff.
Sobol also expressed concern that Harrold repeatedly declined interviews about the inspection issues, including requests made in person and over email for more than a week.
“Absolutely not,” Sobol said when asked if that was acceptable. “We’re public servants when there’s no communication, rumors grow and the snowball gets bigger.”
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The town says assistant town manager Jessica Trotman will continue handling day-to-day operations but will not serve as interim town manager. The council will now begin a search for Harrold’s successor.
Sobol said the next manager must rebuild trust with residents and businesses.
“There will be a lot of changes in this town,” he said. “Hopefully, people like John Richardson and other business owners can regain trust — but first, we have to show them we can be trusted.”
News 13 has again requested an interview with outgoing town manager Josh Harrold.
