CAIRO, Ga. — The makeup of Grady County’s government is set to have a new look following a meeting of the county board of commissioners Jan. 8.

Outgoing commission chairman Ray Prince began Tuesday’s meeting by calling for the nomination and vote for a new chair. The board unanimously approved commissioner LaFaye Copeland as the new chairwoman.

Copeland, who previously served as chair in 2015, said she was looking forward to a successful new year.

“I would like to thank the board for nominating me as chairwoman,” Copeland said. “2019 is going to be our best year.”

Commissioner Keith Moye was selected as vice chair, following the resignation of former vice chairman TD David on Dec. 31.

New legal representation for the county was also chosen at the meeting. Commissioners selected Gabe Ridley of Ridley Law Firm to serve as the new county attorney for 2019.

“I appreciate the opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you better and working with you into the future,” Ridley said to the commissioners.

The county chose not renew its contract with county attorney Jennifer Herzog late last year, citing dissatisfaction with the costs of Hall, Booth, Smith P.C., the law firm where Herzog is a junior associate.

The county decided to switch legal representation to the Atlanta-based HBS in December 2017. Concerns over costs associated with retaining the firm were an issue throughout 2018.

“It’s a pleasure to have a local attorney back in our midst,” Copeland said. “We’re keeping that money right here in Grady County.”

New human resources director John White was elevated to the position of county clerk.

The county clerk position was made vacant when previous office holder Carrie Croy resigned Oct. 23 amidst allegations of misappropriation of taxpayer money in a case now being reviewed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

White, who begins work Wednesday, was previously the director of the county Division of Family and Children Services before retiring in December.

The decision to combine the human resources director and county clerk positions into one role is a continuation of precedent, though County Administrator Buddy Johnson said the commissioners may want to consider separating the two in the future.

Together with the additions of Johnson last September and finance director Holly Murkerson last November, Grady County’s government in 2019 is set to look different than it did at the start of 2018.

Johnson previously served 28 years in the Georgia State Patrol prior to becoming county administrator.

Murkerson, formerly of the Vashti Center in Thomasville, was brought in after former finance director Donna Johnson abruptly walked off the job in September.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the new chairwoman said she was glad to be a part of a new year and new look for the county.

“It’s going to be an awesome year for the board,” Copeland said. “We are here to do good (work) for the county.”