Burke County appoints interim clerk and interim health director and honors retiring extension agent

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

Chairman opened the 2 p.m. meeting and the board first approved the day’s agenda by a 5-0 vote. Commissioners then presented a recognition to Spring Williams for 34 years with Cooperative Extension. “On behalf of Cooperative Extension, I just want to say thank you to the chairman and the commissioners for always supporting Cooperative Extension,” Williams said, adding that she appreciated the board’s collaboration across Burke County and the state.

After a brief closed session called under the statutory language cited by the chair, the board returned to open session and moved to fill two interim positions while permanent recruitment continues. Commissioner Burns moved to appoint Katherine Lorraine “Cat” Wright as interim clerk to the Burke County Board of Commissioners effective April 1, 2026; the motion carried 5-0. Wright was then administered the oath of office.

Commissioner Berry moved to appoint Ashley Jarrett as interim local public health director, effective April 3, 2026, while the county proceeds with filling the permanent role; the board approved the motion 5-0. Jarrett subsequently took the oath of office as interim local public health director.

The board also approved three applicants for the spring 2026 citizens academy—Amber Austin, Jerome Ron Black Floor and Terry Redmond—by unanimous vote. With no further business, the board voted 5-0 to adjourn.

The meeting record shows the board convened a closed session to discuss matters the chair said included threatened or pending litigation, attorney-client privileged information, economic development, contracts, land acquisition and personnel under the statutory citation announced at the meeting.