Jeff Brown was sworn into office as a Hart County commissioner on Wednesday, Aug. 10. The oath of office was given at 4 p.m. in the courtroom of the Hart County Courthouse, with judge Jeffery Malcom presiding.
Brown, who was recently elected to represent the people of Hart County’s 4th District, will replace former commissioner Ricky Carter who resigned from office in mid-July. Carter had previously been absent for months from board of commissioners meetings following his arrest and alleged involvement in the beating of a family member on March 19, 2022. Brown defeated Carter in May for the Republican primary and was set to run uncontested for the seat in November, but Georgia law allowed him to be sworn in early.
“The law under the code of Georgia authorizes the chief superior court judge to make the appointment of someone to fill [a seat vacated by resignation],” Malcom said. “I couldn’t think of anybody more qualified or better than the man that the voters put in office.”
Brown expressed that he’s “excited.”
“I’m ready to get to work for the people of the 4th-District,” he said.
Brown will likely have to hit the ground running. The Hart County Board of Commissioners will soon take on the annual task of preparing a budget.
“Usually, you get a few months to get your feet up under you before you go into a budget,” Brown said. “I’m going straight into budget season.
“It’s going to be a big task.”
Brown looks forward to learning from the current commissioners during this budget season and beyond.
“We have some good folks up there and it’s going to be good to learn from them with their experience and their knowledge, so we can be effective, and do what we can for the people,” Brown said.
“I thank [my constituents] for [this] opportunity,” Brown said. “I’m honored that they came out and supported me the way they did in the election.
“I take this job very seriously and I look forward to getting to work and representing my constituents to the best of my ability.”
The Hart County Board of Commissioners will hold their next meeting, Brown’s first, on Tuesday, Aug. 23.