Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Commission casts unanimous vote for West’s promotion

Lowndes County Administrator Jacquelyn Thomas announced her plans to retire on Dec. 31 at a commission meeting on Monday, June 30. In a heartfelt letter she read to commissioners, Thomas said that after 43 years serving Lowndes County citizens, she was ready to formally share her intent to retire at the end of the year.

“It has been a great honor to serve the community and to collaborate with so many committed individuals,” Thomas said. “Throughout my tenure, I have witnessed the growth and resilience of our county and take pride in having contributed to its progress. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunities, challenges and achievements that have shaped both my professional and personal journey. ”

Thomas recalled that during her time in the position, the County had received four perfect audits, something few counties can claim. 

Commission Chairman Charlie King, Jr. accepted the notice and thanked Thomas for her many years of dedicated service.

“We have been grateful to work [alongside] you for 43 years,” King said. “I would like to thank you for the service you have rendered to this county.”

Commissioner Dickson Farrior, who has represented District 5 for 41 years, said Thomas had made commissioners proud through her efforts.

“A lot of counties don’t get an audit [like the four perfect reviews] and that comes by hard work,” he said. “I know you work hard because I’ve seen you up here at 6 a.m. and sometimes 9 p.m.”

The Association of County Commissioners counts Thomas as the longest-serving county administrator on record. She told commissioners Monday that Farrior holds the statewide title as the longest-serving commissioner in Alabama. 

After delivering the news she was ready to welcome new leadership to the role, Thomas requested commissioners promote Assistant Administrator Kimberly West to fill the position. After some discussion over whether the job required advertising for applicants, County Attorney Prince Chestnut confirmed the county could hire a qualified candidate from within the department.

Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to promote West into the role at a salary which would be decided during an upcoming budget review.

Since 2001, West has worked to serve Lowndes County citizens by managing the county’s human resources. She recalled being reluctant at first to relinquish those duties but ultimately decided to accept the role that will enable her to expand her service to “the 4-5” communities.

“For so long I’ve been making my first priority the employees,” she said. “To switch roles and include the citizens, that’s just a bigger umbrella of the people I serve.”

West sees herself as “a helper” someone willing to do what it takes to provide assistance or solve a problem. With great admiration for the groundwork laid down by Thomas, West said she is eager to expand her role in keeping county operations running smoothly.

“The job is so rewarding, and it’s hard,” West said. “It’s not easy to take Jackie’s job and give up helping employees. It was not an easy decision, but I realized there was something else I’m supposed to do.”

Coming first to the area as part of a drug task force, West began her work on the commission office in 2006. Now she aims to continue working hard to make a difference in her community.

“I am confident that I can handle the job, and I’m grateful to be allowed the opportunity to serve the County and the citizens of Lowndes County,” she said.

Having already filled in as administrator during Thomas’s off days, West will begin direct training in September to assume the office on Jan. 1, 2026.