1. Chatham County’s Organization and Governing Board
Introduction:
Chatham County’s Organization and Governing Board
Produced by:
Ambassadors In Motion (AIM)
County Ambassadors Program

2. Chatham County Citizens Board of Commissioners
Sheriff
Register of Deeds
State Government
Soil & Water Conserv. Bd.
Soil & Water Dept.
Coop. Extension Dir.
Board of Commissioners
Directly Appoints Official/Board
Social Services Dir.
Board of Social Services
County Attorney
Appoints one or more members, but not full board
Tax Administrator
Board of Elections
Elections Director
County Manager
Board of Health
Health Director
Water Director
Em. Mgmt. Director
Library Director
Planning Director
Economic Develop. Corp.
Recreation Director
Central Permits Dir.
Econ Develop. Dir.
Info. Technology Dir.
Tourism Director
Human Res. Director
Finance Director
Council on Aging Board
Senior Serv. Director
Solid Waste Director
Facilities Director
Chatham County Citizens
Chatham County Citizens
Chatham County Citizens
Sheriff
Register of Deeds
Sheriff
Register of Deeds
Sheriff
Register of Deeds
Soil & Water Dept.
Soil & Water Conservation Bd.
Cooperative Extension Dir.
State Government
Soil & Water Dept.
Soil & Water Conservation Bd.
Cooperative Extension Dir.
State Government
Soil & Water Dept.
Soil & Water Conservation Bd.
Cooperative Extension Dir.
State Government
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
Board of Social Services
County Attorney
Board of Social Services
County Attorney
Board of Social Services
County Attorney
Social Services Dir.
Tax Administrator
Social Services Dir.
Tax Administrator
Social Services Dir.
Tax Administrator
Board of Elections*
Board of Elections*
Board of Elections*
Elections Director
County Manager
Elections Director
County Manager
Elections Director
County Manager
Board of Health
Board of Health
Utilities Director
Emergency Mgmt. Dir.
Board of Health
Health Director
Utilities Director
Emergency Mgmt. Dir.
Health Director
Library Services Dir.
Utilities Director
Planning Director
Emergency Mgmt. Dir.
Health Director
Library Services Dir.
Planning Director
Recreation Director
Library Services Dir.
Cent. Perm. Director
Planning Director
Economic Develop. Corp.
Economic Develop. Corp.
Recreation Director
Cent. Perm. Director
Economic Develop. Corp.
MIS Director
Recreation Director
Tourism Coordinator
Cent. Perm. Director
Economic Develop. Dir.
MIS Director
Tourism Coordinator
Economic Develop. Dir.
HR Director
MIS Director
Finance Officer
Tourism Coordinator
Economic Develop. Dir.
HR Director
Finance Officer
Council on Aging
Dir. of Senior Services
Solid Waste Director
HR Director
Facilities Director
Finance Officer
Council on Aging
Dir. of Senior Services
Solid Waste Director
Facilities Director
Council on Aging
Dir. of Senior Services
Solid Waste Director
Facilities Director

3. County Governing Board
A five-member Board of Commissioners governs Chatham County and sets general policy direction for the county.
The commissioners are elected at large, but must reside within a particular district.
They directly appoint the county manager, clerk to the board of commissioners and the tax administrator.

4. Board of Commissioners Districts
Patrick Barnes
District 2
Mike Cross
District 3
George Lucier
District 4
Tom Vanderbeck
District 5
Carl Thompson
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5. COUNTY MANAGER CHARLIE HORNE
County Manager’s Office
Overseeing and coordinating the implementation of county policies
Major functions include: human resources, budget, construction projects, workplace safety, public information and grants
COUNTY MANAGER CHARLIE HORNE
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6. Policy Making Board Health Department
NOTE: The Board of Health members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners and they select the Health Director.
Chatham County Health Department exists to provide and encourage the provision of quality health programs for the citizens of Chatham County. Functions include:
Protecting and promoting health
Preventing and controlling disease
Reducing and rehabilitating disability
Establishing and maintaining healthful lifestyles and a safe environment
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7. Policy Making Board Department of Social Services
NOTE: The Board of Social Services is jointly appointed by the County Board of Commissioners and the state.
The Department serves the public through the administration of programs aimed at helping an individual or family during a time of economic crisis and administers programs that are intended to protect adults and children. Functions include:
Providing emergency food assistance
Providing medical assistance to low-income people
Providing financial counseling and employment services
Providing special services for children and adults
Enforcing child support
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8. Departments with Unique Governance
Soil and Water Conservation
NOTE: The District Conservation Board board is elected locally by Chatham County voters.
Providing technical assistance to land owners and users
Protecting and improving water, soil and wildlife
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9. Internal Service Departments
Finance
Administering and overseeing all financial activities of the County
Maintaining internal control and financial procedures
GIS Mapping & Information Technology
GIS: providing up-to-date ownership records of all real property, and property mapping.
IT: managing data services, primarily internal, including networking, computer purchases, Internet, etc.
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10. Internal Service Departments
Facilities Management & County Fleet
Facilities:
Maintaining a clean, safe and productive work environment
Fleet:
Servicing vehicles in a timely manner
Insuring that employees have safe and dependable vehicle
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11. Advisory Board Departments
Planning
Providing guidance for matters of land and building development through review and approval
Advising Planning Board and Board of Commissioners on development proposals
Administering wide range of land use regulations
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12. Advisory Board Departments
Travel & Tourism
Providing travel information to visitors, tourist-related businesses and the media
Promoting awareness of Chatham’s rich assets to enhance County image
Fully funded by occupancy tax (3%)
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13. Advisory Board Departments
Water/Public Works
Providing water service to approximately 5,000 customers
Providing wastewater service in small part of county in Bynum Mill Village area
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14. Advisory Board Departments
Waste Management
Promoting environmentally sound activities
Providing a clean, safe and efficient program for management, collection, reduction, recycling and disposal of solid waste.
Staffing 12 convenient collection centers countywide
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15. Advisory Board Departments
Public Library
Providing information services to residents
Providing computer Internet access at each library
Hosting regular pre-school story times for children
Providing three libraries in Pittsboro, Siler City and Goldston
Providing one Bookmobile that serves other areas of the county
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16. Advisory Board Departments
Recreation
Providing recreational programs including: t-ball, softball, basketball, tennis clinics and camps, karate classes, tumbling classes, summer school half-day camps, and special events and much more
Providing neighborhood parks in Bynum and in Southwest Chatham near Bear Creek
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17. Non-Advisory Board Departments
Central Permitting
Fire Marshal▬ Providing:
Fire prevention education
Fire inspection and code enforcement
Fire investigation assistance
Arson mitigation
Expedient concern/complaint response
Liaison services with fire departments in the county
Building Inspections▬
Enforcing state and local regulations relating to the construction of buildings and administration of the fire code
Assisting the public in the building process from the plan review process, building process, to the issuing of the Certificate of Occupancy
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18. Non-Advisory Board Departments
Emergency Operations and
Communications
Developing plans for preparation, response, and recovery efforts between citizens, county, state, and federal agencies for emergencies that occur in the county.
Operating E911 emergency call center
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19. Non-Advisory Board Departments
Tax Administration
NOTE: The Tax Administrator is appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. The offices functions are:
Ensuring that all real and personal property is listed and assessed
Collecting all real and personal property taxes
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20. SHERIFF RICHARD WEBSTER
Departments Led by Elected Officials
Sheriff
Serving the citizens of Chatham County, providing public safety through enforcement, intervention and education.
Patrolling the county
Conducting investigations
Operating jail
Serving civil and criminal papers
Preventing and student education
SHERIFF RICHARD WEBSTER
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21. REBA THOMAS REGISTER OF DEEDS
Departments Led by Elected Officials
Register of Deeds
Serving as legal custodian of all public records
Providing indexes and records of real estate and real property records
Maintaining vital records (birth, death, marriage)
REBA THOMAS REGISTER OF DEEDS
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22. Departments with Unique Governance
County Elections
Planning, organizing, conducting and monitoring all elections
Maintaining accurate voter registration information
Educating the public information concerning election laws, campaign finance and any other election matters
NOTE: The county Board of Elections is appointed by the major county political parties, but the director of the county office is appointed by the State Board of Elections
DAWN STUMPF
ELECTIONS DIRECTOR
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23. Departments with Unique Governance
Council on Aging
NOTE: The agency is a non-profit organization, but the Board of Commissioners appoint some members of the Council. The Council receives funds from the county and the director is a county employee
Providing in-home services, nutrition, wellness programs and transportation for seniors
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24. Departments with Unique Governance
Chatham County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension
NOTE: Is part of North Carolina State University’s Cooperative Extension Service, but also is a county department
Extending research-based information, education and assistance from the land grant universities across the state
Providing informal educational programs and one-on-one assistance for agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer education, 4-H and youth development, and community and rural development.
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25. Departments with Unique Governance
Economic Development Corporation
NOTE: The County Board of Commissioners appoint the members of the Corporation, but it is a separate nonprofit organization
Promoting the county as a desirable location for potential businesses and industries
Providing support to current business and industry in the county to help them be successful and stay in the county
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26. State Government
ELECTIONS: The State Board of Elections appoints the director of the County Board of Elections.
SOCIAL SERVICES: The North Carolina Social Services Commission appoints two of the members of the County Board of Social Services,
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