What Asheville Residents Should Know About New City Manager

1. Appointment and start date

Dakisha “DK” Wesley was appointed Asheville’s city manager on Dec. 5 and is scheduled to begin in the role on Jan. 12. The City Council approved her appointment unanimously after a nationwide search, and she steps into the job after serving six years as an assistant county manager for Buncombe County. That background gives her direct administrative experience with local budgets, interdepartmental coordination, and relationships across county and municipal agencies, factors that matter to residents wanting a smooth transition and effective city services.

2. Public attention around the appointment

The appointment "has drawn public attention because her husband, Ardemis Wesley Jr., recently pleaded guilty to illegal gambling activities," and that scrutiny is shaping local discussion about public trust and leadership. For residents, this means public conversations will likely focus on how private family matters intersect with expectations for transparency in municipal leadership. City leaders and the incoming manager will need to address concerns about ethical standards and reassure the community about decision-making that affects public resources and safety.

3. Plea deal outcome and legal disposition

In July 2025, Ardemis Wesley Jr. reached a plea deal that resulted in the dismissal of "multiple charges related to operating an illegal gambling house," with a final disposition of a guilty plea to a single count of misdemeanor gambling. The court entered a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) for one year and assessed court costs under $200. For residents, the legal outcome signals closure in court but may not close public debate; a PJC can resolve charges without a conventional conviction, which raises questions for those concerned about accountability and legal precedent in local cases.

4. Initial citation and location of alleged activity

Authorities initially cited Ardemis Wesley Jr. in April 2024 for operating an illegal gambling house at 1145 Tunnel Road in East Asheville, where reporting said high-stakes poker games were hosted. The specifics of the location and the alleged activity have local impacts: neighbors and businesses near Tunnel Road may recall law-enforcement attention, and the incident influences how community members evaluate enforcement of local ordinances and public safety in residential and commercial districts. City leadership will be expected to balance enforcement consistency with community standards across neighborhoods.

5. How you can engage with City Council and next steps

Community members who have concerns about the appointment or want to raise questions about the circumstances are invited to share those concerns with the City Council or sign up to speak at upcoming council meetings. If you plan to participate, prepare succinct remarks, cite specific questions you want the council to address, and request any public records or statements that clarify the city’s vetting and ethics processes. Open engagement helps ensure municipal leaders hear local priorities directly, and regular civic participation is the most effective way to influence how the new manager’s tenure will be governed, reviewed, and integrated into Buncombe County’s broader civic life.