Officials in Polk County begin 2021 ready to work after the holidays provided opportunity for swearing-in ceremonies in front of Polk County Courthouse No. 1, their oaths performed by Probate Court Judge Tony Brazier.

He swore in dozens of officials – incumbents and a few new faces – into positions across Polk County’s municipal government and court system. Brazier said on the final swearing-in ceremony that he had at least 31 under his belt during the final weeks of 2020.

Included in that list are all the Polk County Commissioners starting new terms in office – Ray Carter, Chuck Thaxton, Linda Liles and Scotty Tillery – as well as the Polk County Board of Education, and newly elected Tax Commissioner Amanda Beck Lindsey.

The final group to be sworn in for the year was the Polk County Coroner’s Office. Newly elected Coroner Norman Smith – who took on the job early as an appointee in the fall of 2020 – and his staff gathered at the courthouse on the morning of New Year’s Eve this past Thursday.

Along with specific oaths of office for each position, local officials also take a loyalty oath required by law as well.