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Avery County manager Phillip Barrier Jr. to retire Feb. 1; Cindy Turbyfill named interim
Summary
County Manager Phillip Barrier Jr. told the board Nov. 3 he will retire effective Feb. 1, 2026, and said Cindy Turbyfill will serve as interim county manager beginning that date. The announcement was made during manager updates on disaster recovery and capital projects.
Avery County Manager Phillip Barrier Jr. announced at the Nov. 3, 2025 board meeting that he will retire effective Feb. 1, 2026. He stated that Cindy Turbyfill will serve as interim county manager starting on that date and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve in the position.
Barrier made the announcement while updating commissioners on Hurricane Helene recovery: he reported about 1,000,000 cubic yards of debris have been collected, said the county has advertised requests for qualifications for architects for the Senior Center, Green Valley Park and Little League Fields, and noted that the High Country Council of Governments is pursuing grants for the Green Valley Community Park, the Wes Brewer communication tower and a CDBG-DR grant for the Senior Center.
The board did not take a separate motion at the meeting on the retirement announcement; the minutes record the manager’s statement and the designation of Cindy Turbyfill as interim effective Feb. 1, 2026. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 1, 2025.
