Stanly commissioners named to new chair positions and assignments

Published 11:06 am Thursday, December 4, 2025

ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Board of Commissioners met on Monday night for its annual reorganizational meeting where a new chairman and vice chairman were chosen for the 2026 calendar year.

Commissioners Scott Efird and Bill Lawhon were unanimously elected as chair and vice chair, respectively, succeeding Commissioners Mike Barbee and Brandon King in those roles.

“Board, thank you so much for your confidence,” Efird said. “Before we go any further, I would like to say thank you to Chairman Barbee and Vice Chairman King for all your service this year to our board. I know in some ways it’s been challenging, but I certainly appreciate your service.”

For board and committee assignments, Lawhon and King were appointed to the Economic Development Commission, while Commissioners Patty Crump and Trent Hatley will serve on the Consolidated Human Services Board.

Efird was named to the Partners Behavioral Health Management Board, the Library Board and the Centralina Council of Governments, with Barbee serving as Centralina’s alternate. King and Hatley were also appointed to the Airport Authority.

Commissioner Billy Mills will serve on the Fire District Commission and the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, while Lawhon was selected for the Senior Services Board. Crump will represent the county on the Rural Planning Organization Board, with Mills serving as her alternate.

Lastly, Hatley was appointed to the Stanly Water and Sewer Authority, with Barbee as the alternate.

These board and committee assignments all received unanimous support from the commissioners. Later in the meeting, the commissioners provided feedback on the new chair positions.

“I congratulate Mr. Efird on being the chair,” Barbee said. “It has been an up-and-down year, but I appreciate everybody backing me up on it. I look forward to serving out the rest of the term.”

“I want to recognize Commissioner Barbee and Commissioner King for serving as chair and vice chair. Thank you for that extra bit of service,” Lawhon added.

Following the commissioners’ organizational procedures, commissioners approved appointments to the Board of Equalization and Review and the Senior Services Advisory Board.

Larry McGuire and Kodi Smith were newly appointed to the Board of Equalization and Review, joining reappointed Vice Chair Garrett Allen. Polly Martin, Ava Plott and Roland Thomas were named to fill three vacancies on the Senior Services Advisory Board.

The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.