Whitlock to Serve As Stephens Co. Commission Chair

The Stephens County Commission starts off a new year.

Tuesday, county commissioners held their first meeting of 2017.

During the meeting, the commission selected a new Chair and Vice-Chair from among the commissioners to serve for the year ahead.

Unanimously chosen to serve as Stephens County Commission Chair for 2017 was Debbie Whitlock.

Whitlock said she is honored to take on that role this coming year.

“I am very excited for this opportunity,” said Whitlock. “Just looking forward to being chairperson and continuing to do great things in this county. We are progressing and I want to see that continue happening on all levels. With our budget, I would like to see a millage rate decrease and give this money back to the taxpayers because we are doing well financially. Also, continue to work on these roads and bridges, and jobs.”

Whitlock is starting her second term on the Stephens County Commission.

Meanwhile, Michelle Ivester was unanimously chosen by the other commissioners to serve as Vice-Chair for the County Commission for the year ahead.

Ivester is in her first full term on the county commission.

Also on Tuesday, Stephens County Commissioners re-appointed Beth Rider as County Clerk, County Administrator Phyllis Ayers was re-appointed as Budget Officer, and county commissioners were assigned to various boards and committees on which the county is represented.

The commission also set its meeting dates and times for 2017.

There are no changes as meetings will continue to be the second Tuesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. and the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m., both in the historic Stephens County Courthouse in downtown Toccoa.