Greg Higginbotham was officially hired as Madison County’s County Administrator on July 5 following him taking on the role of Interim County Administrator after Shelton Vance stepped down from the position.
Higginbotham had been hired as the Assistant County Administrator last month. Prior to that, he served as Madison County’s Comptroller. In the last board of supervisor’s meeting, Supervisor Paul Griffin brought the agenda item to the board to discuss how they would move forward long term following Vance’s resignation after ten years of service.
Supervisor Trey Baxter made a motion to hire Higginbotham as the full-time County Administrator at a salary of $120,000. He included to advertise for an Assistant County Administrator as part of the motion. Supervisor Sheila Jones seconded the motion.
“I did my research on Greg before he was hired as Assistant County Administrator, and his references were glowing,” Baxter said. “I actually had the opportunity to speak to the State Auditor, and he was very pleased with Greg’s work while he was there. I also, in my research, looked at Greg’s educational background, and it is mighty impressive. He also has Madison County experience already as comptroller, so I believe he is going to be able to hit the ground running. I am pleased to have him here.”
Supervisor Karl Banks said he agrees that Higginbotham has the qualities, qualifications and experience to do the job.
“I’ve got confidence in Greg,” Banks said. “I also have confidence in this board that if Greg does not or cannot give us what we need, then we will make a change.”
Griffin said that he would like for the board to allow Higginbotham to bring in any type of consultant he may need to get 100 percent up to speed for doing the job.
The board passed the motion unanimously to hire Higginbotham as County Administrator.
