Lauderdale County supervisors said goodbye to a fixture of county government as Financial Analyst Cheryl Polk is set to retire after more than a decade of helping the county manage the taxpayers’ money.

 

Supervisor Kyle Rutledge said Polk joined the county at around the same time he was first elected as Beat 5 Supervisor in 2012. Since then, he said, she has proven herself to be a valuable part of the county’s team.

 

“She don’t like drama and the spotlight, but there’s no way figure out just how much Ms. Cheryl saved Lauderdale County doing different things and working through the budget and being conservative with it,” he said.

 

Rutledge said Polk has served a needed role as the voice of reason, or caution, when supervisors get too excited about a project or idea. On the other hand, he said, she would also scour the county’s books when unexpected costs or purchases came up. In the 12 years Polk has worked for the county, Rutledge said, the millage rate has only gone up once, and that was to pay for the Lauderdale County Government Complex.

 

“For me personally, the things you’ve taught me, and you’ve done for Lauderdale County, there’s no words to show the appreciation for what you’ve done,” he said.

 

Other supervisors echoed Rutledge’s comments, thanking Polk for her years of service to the county and to board.

 

Supervisor Josh Todd said Polk has done a great job in not only managing the county’s money but also giving supervisors insight into potential issues that could come up down the road. He said she has been, “the voice of reason,” for both him personally and the Board of Supervisors.

 

“You’ve been a great asset to Lauderdale County,” he said.