Pembroke City Council came out of a 56 minute long executive session Monday night and voted to accept the resignation of Police Chief Bill Collins.

Pembroke Officer Stacy Strickland was appointed interim chief.

City officials said in a statement released 10 a.m. Tuesday that Collins tendered his resignation moments before Monday meeting.

Council also voted to eliminate immediately the position of Assistant Police Chief.

According to the press release, the elimination of the assistant chief position will help the City Council’s ongoing efforts to cut costs for the upcoming fiscal year.

The city council also scheduled a budget hearing for Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m., and a special meeting of the City Council for Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. to adopt the city budget.

In the press release the council said it continues to consider additional budget cuts and cost saving measures for the pending budget.

Read more in Wednesday’s Bryan County News