Richland County board confirms Tricia Clemens as county administrator, effective April 21

The Richland County Board of Supervisors voted to confirm Tricia Clemens as county administrator, effective April 21.

The vote followed a closed-session review of the county administrator recommendation from the executive and finance standing committee. Supervisor Gill made the motion to confirm the appointment, which Supervisor Kramer seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote and the appointment was declared confirmed.

County Chair Turk said the start date will be April 21, and board members noted the appointment will create a vacancy in the county’s health and human services director position when the incumbent moves into the administrator role.

Supervisor Gill thanked other applicants and the committee that interviewed candidates, calling the process “rigorous,” and the board publicly congratulated Clemens on the appointment. Clemens responded, “Thank you,” during the confirmation.

The board’s action was taken in open session after a closed-session meeting called under the cited agenda statute for personnel matters. No additional conditions or contingencies on the appointment were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Implementation details, including transition steps and any interim coverage in affected departments, were discussed generally by supervisors and staff; the transcript records that the county’s HHS director will move into the new role and that subsequent vacancies will be filled through the county’s normal hiring processes.