Richland hires first new assessor in nearly 40 years

Richland County government has filled three key administrative positions, with one hire giving the county its first new assessor in nearly four decades.

Liz McDonald succeeds the county’s long-serving assessor John Cloyd, who retired in January after 37 years in his role of appraising and assessing for tax purposes all real property in Richland County.

McDonald has worked in various positions in the assessor’s office since 1999, when she was hired as an appraiser. She served as interim assessor after Cloyd’s retirement.

Kevin Bronson, who has 15 years of municipal work experience in South Carolina, has been hired as the assistant county administrator for public safety. He steps into a position formerly held by Warren Harley, who has transitioned into a new role as assistant county administrator for development services.

Harley’s new role fills a gap left by Sparty Hammett, who stepped down as assistant county administrator last month.

As assistant county administrator for public safety, Bronson will oversee the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, animal care services, solid waste, emergency services, court administration and several other departments.

Jeffery Ruble has been hired as the county’s economic development director. With a background in business and economic development throughout South Carolina, Ruble is to lead efforts to recruit new industries to Richland County and to assist companies already located here with expansions.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 2:14 PM.