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Guilford County commissioners sworn in; Melvin Skip Austin re-elected chair, Carlina Foster named vice chair
Summary
At an organizational meeting, Guilford County commissioners administered oaths to newly elected and returning officials and unanimously re-elected Melvin Skip Austin as chair and Carlina Foster as vice chair; officials outlined 2025 priorities including affordable housing and mental health access.
Melvin Skip Austin was re-elected chair of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and Carlina Foster was elected vice chair at the board's organizational meeting, which opened with a series of oaths for newly elected and returning officials.
Superior Court Judge Stephanie L. Reese administered oaths of office to commissioners and county officials, including Carly Suzanne Morrow Cook, Mary Elizabeth Murphy and Brandon Grayhill. Jeff L. Thigpen also took the oath as Register of Deeds.
"I wanna thank the people of the District 6 for reelecting me to serve another term," Commissioner Brandon Grayhill said, calling service to the community "the honor of my life." Chair Melvin Skip Austin outlined top priorities for the coming year, singling out affordable housing, expanded access to mental health care and sustaining county services.
The clerk opened nominations for board leadership. A motion to nominate incumbent Melvin Skip Austin for chair was seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote. Likewise, commissioners nominated Carlina Foster for vice chair; that motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously to elect Foster.
Officials used the ceremonial session to thank campaign staffs, family members and county employees. Several commissioners emphasized collaboration with municipal and state partners as the board pursues the stated 2025 priorities.
The board moved on to its new business agenda after the leadership votes; no contested leadership races or roll-call dissents were recorded during the reorganization votes.
