Henry County leaders abruptly parted ways Wednesday with County Manager Cheri Matthews, ending her seven-year run atop the county bureaucracy and putting elected commissioners in charge of day-to-day operations while they scramble to name an interim boss.
Chair Carlotta Harrell said the board wants a different strategic approach to steer the county through rapid growth and shifting demands for services.
The county said in a media release that Matthews' tenure ended April 22 and framed the move as part of a long-term vision for how the government is run. Officials stressed that county services will keep operating during the shake-up and that an interim manager is expected within days. The decision and release were reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
Matthews' Record And Big-Ticket Projects
Matthews has served as Henry County's manager since 2017, following more than two decades in county planning and administration, according to the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. During her tenure, the county opened a Real Time Crime Center that pulls together data for public-safety agencies.
Henry County also moved ahead on a major SPLOST-funded aquatic center that county documents list as one of the area's largest capital investments.
Ethics Complaint And Local Backdrop
An ethics complaint filed in January accused Matthews of nepotism involving relatives employed by the county. A preliminary investigation found no probable cause, and the complaint was dismissed. Matthews told reporters at the time that she followed county policy and steered clear of personnel decisions that could even look like favoritism. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covered the complaint and the board's review.
Board Steps In As Interim Pick Looms
Until an interim manager is in place, the Board of Commissioners will run county operations, including oversight of roughly 1,900 employees, the county said. Officials told reporters the leadership change should not disrupt the daily services residents count on.
The board expects to name an interim manager within the next few days, according to the county's release.
Residents looking for updates are being pointed to Henry County's official announcements and the Board of Commissioners' meeting postings. This story will be updated as an interim manager is named and more details about Matthews' departure are released through official county notices.
