Lloyd Kerr was officially named Newton County’s Manager Tuesday.

Kerr, who has served as Interim County Manager since Jan. 7, was hired full-time after a 3-2 vote by the BOC.

District 3 Commissioner Nancy Schulz made the motion to hire Kerr, with District 1 Commissioner John Douglas seconding the motion.

“Over the past 10 months we have witnessed his style of one of being willing to hear all perspectives yet not one to conform to the status quote but one he believes is right for Newton County,” Schulz said. “I have seen he is precisely the right person for the job.”

Along with the vote of confidence in Kerr’s performance, Schulz also listed continuity as a reason for hiring Kerr as county manager.

“On January 1, we begin a new form of government,” Schulz said. “We also begin the new year with two new commissioners and a new chair. The first year will be a steep learning curve for new commissioners. There will also be a learning curve adapting to the new form of government. We cannot afford to have the role of county manager in limbo. It is not good governance.”

District 2 Commissioner Lanier Sims was one of two commissioners to vote against Kerr’s appointment. Sims said he could not support the motion because the procedure to interview candidates and vet managers was not done.

Kerr was one of four candidates to apply for the county manager position in December but withdrew his name. The former Development Services Director, however, agreed to step into the role on an interim basis.

Since then he has built a strong relationship with the county chair, according to Keith Ellis, who said: “Lloyd is doing an outstanding job.”

Kerr’s salary did not change with the appointment and there is not a length of service laid out in his contract with the county.