Emily Harrell Confirmed as City Manager for Lakeland

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted last night, Thursday, February 20, 2026, to officially confirm Emily Harrell as City Manager for the Lakeland, Tennessee, solidifying her leadership role after serving four months as interim City Manager.

Harrell’s appointment follows many years of dedicated service to the City of Lakeland. Her career with the city began as an engineering intern, where she quickly established herself as a committed and capable public servant. Through steady advancement and demonstrated leadership, she rose to the position of City Engineer before being named Interim City Manager earlier this year.

During her tenure as interim, Harrell provided continuity and stability while overseeing daily municipal operations and ongoing city initiatives. Her extensive institutional knowledge and long-standing relationships within the organization have positioned her as a trusted leader during a period of transition.

City officials noted that Harrell brings not only technical expertise and administrative experience, but also a deep understanding of Lakeland’s long-term vision and strategic priorities. Her confirmation ensures experienced leadership as the city continues to manage growth and serve its residents.

“Having proudly served Lakeland in various engineering capacities since 2004 and called it home since 2008, I am excited to transition from a focus on infrastructure to the big-picture leadership of the City Manager role. While I have had opportunities to take this position in the past, my recent four months as Interim City Manager—bolstered by incredible support from the Board, staff, and community—confirmed that the timing is finally right. I believe my deep roots here and extensive municipal experience will be a unique asset as I work to provide every department with the support they need to be successful. We have an amazing team, and I look forward to guiding our continued growth and being a part of all the wonderful things happening in Lakeland,” Mrs. Harrell told Lakeland Currents.

With her official appointment, Harrell now steps fully into the role of City Manager, continuing her commitment to supporting the community and guiding Lakeland’s future development.

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