Caldwell County meeting: new clerk sworn in, library director honored and successor appointed; consent agenda approved

At the Feb. 23 Caldwell County Board of Commissioners meeting the board completed several personnel and administrative actions, including swearing in a new clerk, recognizing a retiring library director, appointing a new library director, and approving a lengthy consent agenda.

Tasha Brown was introduced as the new clerk to the board; the chair read her background (17 years in local government with prior Caldwell County tax-office service and recent work in Blowing Rock), and the honorable Wayne Rash administered the oath of office. Brown said she was "thankful for allowing me to come back home" and that she was "looking forward to serving the community." The chair noted Brown’s first day on county payroll.

The board adopted a resolution recognizing Leslie Griffin on her retirement after serving in the Caldwell County Public Library since June 2017 (having worked in libraries since 2006). The resolution recounted Griffin’s progression from adult services librarian to library director and cited initiatives including collection revamps, expanded programming and a move to fine-free checkouts. Griffin was thanked and the resolution was adopted unanimously. Excerpts from Griffin’s statement were read during the recognition.

The board entered closed session under North Carolina General Statutes for a personnel and economic-development discussion. On return from closed session, County Manager Shane Fox reported the Board of Trustees had recommended Janet Forrer as the new library director; the board appointed Forrer to begin duties on March 1, 2026.

County Manager Shane Fox presented a 19-item consent agenda that included: an airport utility study grant ($50,000); a $3,000 WIC funding increase; two hurricane-repair OSBM grants ($1,183,000 and $323,000); a $10,000 donation to animal control (split between adoptions and supplies); a $6,500 sheriff’s department budget revision using drug-forfeiture funds for an undercover vehicle; an IBC transport agreement; an EDA disaster grant application related to a sewer extension project; appointments to the Board of Equalization and Review (eight names listed); and other budget and transportation items. The board approved the consent agenda by voice vote.

With no other business, the board adjourned.