Walton announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down from his post. His last day with the city is Friday.
Burch, who has worked for the city since 1987, has been responsible for environment, housing and neighborhood activities for the city. She’ll serve in the interim role until a replacement for Walton is chosen. Burch is not an applicant for the position.
Walton, who became manager in 2007, has been instrumental in several key LGBT-inclusion efforts at the city. In 2010, he added protections for gay, lesbian and bisexual workers to the city’s non-discrimination policy. In June, health and other benefits for same-sex partners of city employees was included in his budget, approved by council this June. Just this month, Walton agreed to add protections for transgender workers to the city’s non-discrimination policy.
The application period for the council’s city manager search opens on Dec. 18 and closes Jan. 18. More information about the search process can be found at ManagerSearch.CharlotteNC.gov.