Washington began its new fiscal year Monday with a new city manager.

Brian Alligood, who was born in Washington and grew up in eastern North Carolina, believes his previous work experiences will serve him well as the city’s new chief executive.

“I bring, I think, a variety of experiences in my career. … What I think I bring to the table is that broad range of experiences and an understanding of eastern North Carolina because I grew up here. I think I have a strong fiscal, financial background. That’s always important,” Alligood said.

County managers deal with more elected officials — sheriffs, clerks of court, registers of deeds and school-board members — than city managers, Alligood said about a major difference between county managers and city managers. “Things like that, where you don’t have as much control over,” he said. “In a municipality, you have little more direct control over those things. I don’t know that one’s better than the other; they’re just different.”

Alligood said he’s talked with City Council members since he agreed several weeks ago to take the Washington position.

“In some of those conversations, we’ve talked about their priorities. That started in the interview process. Obviously, one of the things they want to make sure is continuity continues with the reorganizational plan that’s been put in place — make sure that continues on. They want to make sure that goes. Some of those things,” Alligood said.

Alligood had been county manager in Granville County since 2006. Previously, Alligood served as town manager for Boiling Springs and deputy county manager in Granville County. He also worked for the N.C. Department of Transportation and Western Carolina University Medical Service.

Alligood has a B.S. degree in civil engineering from N.C. State University, a B.S. degree in emergency medical care from Western Carolina University and a master’s degree in public administration from N.C. State University.

Alligood also worked for Martin-McGill, a private company that provides a variety of management consulting, project management, public planning and financial services to entities throughout the southeast United States.

“This is getting back home for me. Obviously, that had a lot to do with it,” Alligood said Monday afternoon about why he sought the job in Washington. “In our business, in a manager’ business, it’s a little unusual to be able to return home. You try to get close to where you want to get back to, but those opportunities to open up very often. So, it’s interesting when there is one and you kind of go after than. So, it’s that, and Washington is just a great place to be. It’s a wonderful eastern North Carolina community with wonderful folks.”

Alligood’s annual base salary is $127,000, according to a copy of the employment agreement between Alligood and the city.

The agreement calls for Alligood to serve as city manager from Monday to June 30, 2015. The council has the option to extend Alligood’s term as city manager.

Under terms of the employment agreement, Alligood will receive a car allowance of $400 a month. Alligood will be required to live in the city within six months of employment with the city. The city will pay up to $5,000 in relocation expenses. The city will pay premiums for life, major medical and other group insurance for Alligood, the same benefits other city employees are entitled to, according to the agreement.

Alligood replaces Josh Kay, who resigned in March to take a position with Santee Cooper, South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility. Kay began working in Washington in August 2011.