Office of Sole Commissioner

Mission of Chattooga County Government

Chattooga County Government is dedicated to providing timely, efficient, courteous, and professional services to all citizens of Chattooga County. We will make decisions that promote the best interests of the greater community, and develop the resources, policies, plans and procedures to effectively address public needs. We will pursue and support those programs and projects that best uphold the priorities of Chattooga County.

What is a County Commissioner?

A County Commission is a group of elected officials who are in charge of county government. While most counties operate under a commission form, Chattooga County operates under a Sole Commissioner. The Sole Commissioner is the chief legislative and executive government officer in the county. There are only eight counties in the country with a sole county commission. Most counties with sole commissioners tend to be rural like Chattooga. The Commissioner's office handles roads and revenue, and is available to answer citizen's concerns on a host of county government issues. Though the Commissioner is not chief officer of all other local governmental offices, they can direct you to other local and state offices or agencies. The Commissioner works in close collaboration with other governmental agencies and community groups to ensure a safe and prosperous county.

Our Team

Meet Your Sole Commissioner

Chattooga County's Commissioner is Blake Elsberry, who was elected after winning three primaries to serve as Chattooga County's Sole Commissioner in 2020. Elsberry brings to the office his experience in the public sector, which includes county, state and medical.

Blake Elsberry serves as the chief legislative and executive voice in Chattooga County government. His job includes addressing citizen's concerns, working with economic development, and representing the county, among a host of other duties. Commissioner Elsberry is committed to an open and accessible county government. As with any democratic system, public interest, debate, and input are important aspect of Elsberry's administration. Commissioner Elsberry holds media briefings each Tuesday morning at his office, and he is also holding periodic sessions with the public. The first of these, Common Grounds: Coffee with The Commissioner, is being held Saturday, March 27th from 9 to 11 am at the Civic Center.

Please feel free to call the Commissioner at 706-857-0700 or visit the Commissioner at his office located on Commerce Street in downtown Summerville. Commissioner Elsberry and his office staff are here for you.

County Clerk

County Clerk Martha Tucker acts as clerk to Commissioner Elsberry. She maintains all records and documents, receives and disburses funds, and supervises other office workers. She also balances books, compiles reports to show such information as cash receipts and expenditures and other office work.

Martha Tucker has worked for the county since 1990, and has been County Clerk of Chattooga County for over twenty years. She has served under Commissioners Parker, Dawson, Winters, and currently, Elsberry.

Human Resources Division

Chattooga County's Human Resources Division is responsible for administering and interpreting the county's human resource functions. Arliss Scruggs is responsible for this post. She administers active employee and retiree benefits, personnel classification and management, personnel records management and compliance with state and federal laws with respect to health and safety standards, civil rights, work ethics, and other issues. Mrs. Scruggs' office is located within the County Commissioner's Office on Commerce Street.

Accounts Payable Division