Lexington County has a new clerk of council.

At a special called meeting held May 16, County Council unanimously approved the hiring of Jessica Hendrix for the position tasked with organizing council meetings, preparing agendas and supplementary documents, and helping relay information about council’s actions to the public.

Hendrix previously served as assistant to County Administrator Lynn Sturkie.

“We're looking forward to working with you,” Council Chair Beth Carrigg said after the unanimous vote. “I know you've got quite a history with Lexington County, starting in the clerk of court’s office back in 2005. And now here we are today. So thank you for applying. And we look forward to working with you.”

Council made the hire after interviewing candidates in executive session before its regular meeting on May 9.

Hendrix’s predecessor, Brittany Shumpert, was terminated by council on April 5, a firing for which there has yet to be a public explanation.

The vote to dismiss Shumpert was unanimous, apart from Scott Whetstone, who abstained for what he said were personal reasons. Whetstone was absent when council voted to appoint Hendrix.

Reached by the Chronicle after Shumpert’s firing, Carrigg declined to comment, saying the county doesn't comment on employee matters.

According to information posted to Shumpert’s LinkedIn page, she had served as clerk since 2019.