Ex-Chapin administrator whose position was cut by mayor gets new job
The former Chapin town administrator whose position was eliminated last year has landed a new job, and she isn’t going far.
Nicholle Burroughs was named Wednesday as the new deputy administrator for the town of Irmo.
“Burroughs brings more than 17 years of senior-level leadership experience in municipal government, public affairs, and complex operations,” Irmo said in a news release announcing Burroughs’ hire. “She most recently served as Town Administrator for the Town of Chapin, where she led day-to-day municipal operations and advised elected officials on policy, budgeting, and long-term planning.”
Until last November, Burroughs had been the top official with the town of Chapin. But her job was eliminated after new Mayor Bill Mitchell took office after the 2025 municipal election.
Mitchell had campaigned on running the town as a “full-time mayor” without a separate administrator overseeing town staff. Chapin agreed to pay out $47,000 as part of a settlement with Burroughs when she left the position.
In its announcement, the town of Irmo praised Burroughs’ work with their neighbor up Interstate 26. The release noted Burroughs secured $2.8 million in grant funding during her time with Chapin, converted the town’s software system and supported the creation of the Chapin Art Trail.
Burroughs will replace Doug Polen, who leaves to take the town administrator job in Blythewood.
“Doug Polen has done an outstanding job for Irmo,” Irmo Town Administrator Jim Crosland said in a statement. “We are excited for him as he takes this next step in Blythewood. At the same time, we are very pleased to welcome Nicholle Burroughs to Irmo. She brings a strong background in municipal leadership, a track record of getting things done, and a clear commitment to public service.”
Crosland knows first-hand how staff can move from one municipality to another. He took the top job in Irmo last year after he retired as the city manager in Cayce.
Burroughs will start work in the new position on May 18.
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