Scott Carpenter.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 11:03 am

Steve Garrison in his office.

After serving nearly 11 years as Rutherford County Manager, Steve Garrison is leaving Rutherford County government. He is taking on a new role for the State of North Carolina.

Garrison will be a regional Hurricane Helene recovery coordinator, covering 12 counties including Rutherford. He was tapped for the position by Governor Josh Stein, and is excited for the new challenge.

Garrison recently reflected on his time as county manager. He had previously served five years as county manager for Madison County.

"Transitioning into the county manager role in Rutherford County felt like familiar territory," Garrison stated. "With both counties being rural communities, which is where my heart is, the transition was seamless and didn't offer many surprises."

Garrison was a successful county manager by many measures including building projects that improved service to the citizens and increased efficiencies.

Supporting that success, Garrison said, was the fact that he was able to "...work with a phenomenal county leadership team and forward thinking, service-minded Board of County Commissioners. Working with the Commissioners and leadership team in the first year of my service here, we quickly identified capital outlay and program/service improvements and projects needed and began working on goals and a strategic plan to aggressively initiate these projects."

Those multiple projects include a new EMS station serving the Caroleen/Henrietta area, extensive renovation of the EMS headquarters in Spindale; transforming the old Bi-Lo grocery store building into a new government services building containing the tax, board of elections, and veterans offices and county library; working with RHI Legacy Foundation, municipalities, and Tourism Development Authority (TDA), to create the 13.5 mile long paved Thermal Belt Rail Trail; and building a new animal control center; in addition to school projects (including new RS Middle School) and law enforcement support (new Bearcat armored assault vehicle, new drug scanning machine at county jail, and ongoing jail renovations and a new sheriff's office under construction on old RS Central High campus).

The primary overall challenge that affected Garrison's job, was a lack of financial resources to fully address every need.

"The greatest challenge was that the needs of the citizens, the county departments and employees, and the various community partners we financially support (courts/Justice system, public school system, community college, and others), were always greater than our fiscal capacity to adequately address their needs which will continue to be a challenge for the county going forward," Garrison explained. "Events such as the covid pandemic, and Hurricane Helene most certainly exacerbated this."

Garrison continued "However, our ability to wisely invest in one time, non-local tax dollar and non-debt service funded projects using our federal covid funds, American Rescue Plan Act funds, our legislative special appropriations funds, TDA, and grant funds from federal state and local grant sources has resulted in a large number of projects that will serve to help improve the lives of our citizens for decades to come."

Garrison said citizens are not always fully aware of what county government does, and there are misconceptions regarding county tax dollars.

"I often field questions about what exactly citizens get with their tax dollars relating to the services the county offers," Garrison stated.

He reminds them of the many county departments ranging from those relating to emergency management and public safety, to the Department of Social Services, transit services, veterans services, animal control, solid waste, and the board of elections. Garrison also points out that the county is a large financial contributor to the public school system, Isothermal Community College, and the courts/justice system.

"The one thing that I have discovered that many of our citizens are unaware of, is that the county is just an arm of the state government and we do not have sovereignty from the state," Garrison said. "Most of the programs and services the county manages are mandated by the state and our legislative body."

Looking back, Garrison is pleased with his work, and he holds many fond memories of his time as county manager.

Reflecting on the covid pandemic and Hurricane Helene, Garrison said "I remain in awe, of how courageous, resilient, and dedicated..." county personnel were, including law enforcement and emergency services.

He also noted the outpouring of support from local towns, fire departments, nonprofits, rescue organizations, as well as in-store and out-of-state emergency services and public safety resources that came to assist Rutherford County during times of emergencies and natural disasters.

Among the lighthearted memories Garrison said he will always remember, are moments during meetings of the County Commissioners.

"The antics of our esteemed Chairman Bryan King during many of our County Commissioners meetings over the years will always stand out to me," Garrison said. "Chairman King did a phenomenal job of running the county commissioner meetings and maintaining a high level of decorum and professionalism but I always appreciated that he could insert a comical comment or two during the meeting that always seem to put the room at ease."

Garrison earned the respect of his colleagues, county personnel, and the commissioners.

County Commission Chairman Bryan King said serving with Garrison has been an honor.

"His leadership, character, insights and abilities helped us succeed on many fronts," King commented. "I can truly understand why Governor Stein chose him to serve the great State of North Carolina to be on the Helene recovery leadership team. He can make a difference. We wish him luck and much success in his new role serving our community and state."

Garrison was asked about advice for the next county manager. He said the hard work of the department heads was critical to any successes.

"I recognize that our accomplishments and victories are not mine alone, but were the results of their hard work, dedication, and willingness to go the extra mile," Garrison added. "The sooner the next County Manager realizes this and recognizes what a phenomenal group of professionals they will have the pleasure of working with, the greater the probability of their success as county manager."