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ISSUE NO. 4 • January 29, 2026 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
County Manager Steve Garrison retires, will work with the state on hurricane recovery Article by Scott Carpenter.
and public safety, to the Department of Social Services, transit services, veterans services, After serving nearly 11 years as Rutherford County animal control, solid waste, and the board of Manager, Steve Garrison is leaving Rutherford elections. Garrison also points out that the county County government. He is taking on a new role for is a large financial contributor to the public school the State of North Carolina. system, Isothermal Community College, and the Garrison will be a regional Hurricane Helene courts/justice system. recovery coordinator, covering 12 counties “The one thing that I have discovered that many including Rutherford. He was tapped for the position of our citizens are unaware of, is that the county by Governor Josh Stein, and is excited for the new is just an arm of the state government and we do challenge. not have sovereignty from the state,” Garrison said. Garrison recently reflected on his time as county “Most of the programs and services the county manager. He had previously served five years as manages are mandated by the state and our county manager for Madison County. legislative body.” “Transitioning into the county manager role Looking back, Garrison is pleased with his work, in Rutherford County felt like familiar territory,” and he holds many fond memories of his time as Garrison stated. “With both counties being rural county manager. communities, which is where my heart is, the Reflecting on the covid pandemic and Hurricane transition was seamless and didn’t offer many Helene, Garrison said “I remain in awe, of how surprises.” courageous, resilient, and dedicated...” county Garrison was a successful county manager by personnel were, including law enforcement and many measures including building projects that emergency services. improved service to the citizens and increased He also noted the outpouring of support Steve Garrison in his office. efficiencies. from local towns, fire departments, nonprofits, rescue Supporting that success, Garrison said, was the fact that he was able to “...work with a phenomenal county wisely invest in one time, non-local tax dollar and non- organizations, as well as in-store and out-of-state leadership team and forward thinking, service-minded debt service funded projects using our federal covid emergency services and public safety resources that Board of County Commissioners. Working with the funds, American Rescue Plan Act funds, our legislative came to assist Rutherford County during times of Commissioners and leadership team in the first year of special appropriations funds, TDA, and grant funds from emergencies and natural disasters. Among the lighthearted memories Garrison said he my service here, we quickly identified capital outlay and federal state and local grant sources has resulted in a program/service improvements and projects needed large number of projects that will serve to help improve will always remember, are moments during meetings of the County Commissioners. and began working on goals and a strategic plan to the lives of our citizens for decades to come.” Garrison said citizens are not always fully aware of what “The antics of our esteemed Chairman Bryan King aggressively initiate these projects.” Those multiple projects include a new EMS station county government does, and there are misconceptions during many of our County Commissioners meetings over the years will always stand out to me,” Garrison serving the Caroleen/Henrietta area, extensive renovation regarding county tax dollars. “I often field questions about what exactly citizens get said. “Chairman King did a phenomenal job of running of the EMS headquarters in Spindale; transforming the old Bi-Lo grocery store building into a new government with their tax dollars relating to the services the county the county commissioner meetings and maintaining a high level of decorum and professionalism but I always services building containing the tax, board of elections, offers,” Garrison stated. He reminds them of the many county departments appreciated that he could insert a comical comment or and veterans offices and county library; working with RHI Legacy Foundation, municipalities, and Tourism ranging from those relating to emergency management two during the meeting that always seem to put the room at ease.” Development Authority (TDA), to create the 13.5 Garrison earned the respect of his colleagues, mile long paved Thermal Belt Rail Trail; and building county personnel, and the commissioners. a new animal control center; in addition to school County Commission Chairman Bryan King said projects (including new RS Middle School) and serving with Garrison has been an honor. law enforcement support (new Bearcat armored “His leadership, character, insights and assault vehicle, new drug scanning machine at abilities helped us succeed on many fronts,” King county jail, and ongoing jail renovations and a commented. “I can truly understand why Governor new sheriff’s office under construction on old RS Stein chose him to serve the great State of North Central High campus). Carolina to be on the Helene recovery leadership The primary overall challenge that affected team. He can make a difference. We wish him luck Garrison’s job, was a lack of financial resources to and much success in his new role serving our fully address every need. community and state.” “The greatest challenge was that the needs Garrison was asked about advice for the next of the citizens, the county departments and county manager. He said the hard work of the employees, and the various community partners department heads was critical to any successes. we financially support (courts/Justice system, “I recognize that our accomplishments and public school system, community college, and victories are not mine alone, but were the results others), were always greater than our fiscal of their hard work, dedication, and willingness to capacity to adequately address their needs which go the extra mile,” Garrison added. “The sooner the will continue to be a challenge for the county going next County Manager realizes this and recognizes forward,” Garrison explained. “Events such as Steve Garrison is pictured at the covid pandemic, and Hurricane Helene most the dedication ceremony on the Steve Garrison is pictured what a phenomenal group of professionals they will have the pleasure of working with, the greater the certainly exacerbated this.” courthouse lawn, for the Charters on his bicycle, enjoying the probability of their success as county manager.” Garrison continued “However, our ability to Thermal Belt Rail Trail. of Freedom installation.
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