Lexington County Council is a step closer to naming the new administrator for the county, after they narrowed down the list of applicants to a final three during the last council meeting. (Wikimapia photo)

In accordance with state law, which requires the disclosure of these finalists, the council announced that the new administrator will be selected from a group of consisting of David Cotton, Christine Durant and Lynn Sturkie.

David Cotton is currently serving as county manager of Herford County, N.C.

Christine Durant is currently serving as deputy county administrator of Charleston County, S.C.

Lynn Sturkie is currently serving as interim county administrator of Lexington County, S.C.

The hiring of a new administrator was made necessary upon the retirement of Joe Mergo, III, who retired Dec. 31, 2020. Mergo had been administrator for the last nine years. The County retained the firm Finding Great People to assist in the executive search to hire a new administrator.

A total of 41 candidates originally applied for the position. Technology Services Director Lynn Sturkie has been serving as interim administrator since Jan. 1, 2021.

County Council will select the new administrator from this list of finalists as soon as possible.