The City of Oxford has a new Chief Operating Officer, as well as a new City Engineer, due to recent promotions by the Board of Aldermen.

Bart Robinson, formerly Oxford’s City Engineer, was hired as Oxford’s COO. Taking over for Robinson as engineer is Reanna Mayoral, who previously was Oxford’s Assistant City Engineer.

Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill announced Robinson’s promotion during the last Board of Aldermen meeting on Nov. 6.

“Bart’s had like nine jobs,” Tannehill said during the meeting. “We’re trying to narrow him down to one.”

As Robinson takes over as the city’s COO, he said he was excited for a new opportunity and expects to face similar challenges like he did as the city’s engineer, which include Oxford’s rapid growth along with other issues.

“Managing and planning for tremendous growth is our biggest issue,” Robinson said in an email. “But, it is followed closely by issues such as limited tax base, affordable housing, and decreased federal and state funding for infrastructure.”

Being the city’s engineer allowed Robinson be aware of issues affecting the city and people of Oxford, which will let give him a jump start in managing some of the city’s individual departments.

“I believe my past involvement in all aspects of the City’s government, my interaction with Citizens on critical and sensitive issues, and my involvement in the decision making process of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen has given me the needed experience and knowledge to fulfill the obligations of this new role,” Robinson said in an email.

Robinson also said he feels strongly Mayoral, who was Robinson’s right hand man as assistant engineer, will be able to succeed as City Engineer.

“I am extremely confident in Reanna and her ability,” Robinson said in an email. “I have never worked with a more dedicated, detail oriented, and caring individual.”

Filling Mayoral’s position of Assistant City Engineer is John Crawley, who will come to Oxford after service as City Engineer in Tupelo.