Burke County commissioners appoint interim clerk and health director, honor retiring extension agent

The Burke County Board of Commissioners on March 30 unanimously approved interim appointments and recognized a retiring Cooperative Extension agent at a special meeting.

The board voted 5–0 to appoint Cat Wright as interim clerk to the board effective April 1, 2026, and to appoint Ashley Jarrett as interim local public health director effective April 3, 2026. Commissioner Burns made the motion to appoint Wright; Mr. Barry moved the motion to appoint Jarrett. Both motions were approved by voice vote.

The appointments followed a closed session held to discuss privileged and confidential matters, including threatened or pending litigation, attorney-client privilege, economic development and contractual matters, land acquisition and personnel matters (statutory language read aloud by the chair as transcribed). Upon return to open session the chair stated no action had been taken during the closed session.

The board formally swore in Cat Wright, recorded in the transcript as "I, Catherine Lorine, Wright," as interim clerk; the oath was administered at the meeting. Wright was congratulated by the board after taking the oath. Ashley Jarrett also took the oath for the interim local public health director role; Jarrett repeated the oath and was congratulated. The chair said the county will continue the process of filling the health director position on a permanent basis.

The board also approved the appointment of additional Citizens Academy participants for spring 2026. The transcript lists the new appointees as Amber Austin, Gerono, Ron Blackfloor, and Terry Redmond; the clerk announced the motion to appoint the named applicants and the board approved the appointments by a 5–0 vote. Transcript spellings for two of those names are unclear and are recorded here as transcribed.

Earlier in the meeting the board recognized Spring Williams for 34 years of service with Cooperative Extension. Speaking on behalf of Cooperative Extension, Williams said, "I just want to say thank you to you the chairman and the commissioners for always supporting Cooperative Extension... I know my years here have been very good to me — 34 years" and expressed appreciation for the board's support in spreading education throughout the county.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous motion to adjourn. The board announced the interim appointments and the continued search for permanent staff but did not take other formal actions at this session.