“Statutorily, there are things that a manager is responsible for taking care of,” said County Commission Chairman Brian McMahan. “For example, if somebody were to file for an ABC permit, our resolution in the county says that the manager is the one to approve it. So it just makes sense, just in case, we would have somebody who would be authorized to sign as the manager.”

Baker, who filled the newly created county attorney position last August, was a logical choice for the interim role, McMahan said. She works out of the county manager’s office, is available for the entire month and would normally review most of the documents she’d need to sign as county manager anyway. 

“I’m glad to be here to help and keep things going,” Baker said. “We have excellent department heads that really keep things running all the time anyway.”

Wooten will retire from his position as county manager, which he has held for five years, effective June 30. He had announced his retirement in January, launching a six-month search for a replacement that concluded last week with the selection of Adams, who will come to Jackson following 19 years as county manager in Alleghany County. Adams will start the job Aug. 1.

— Holly Kays, staff writer