The Stutsman County Social Services Board named Em Burkett as the interim director of the agency during a special meeting Tuesday.
"Em will do a fantastic job," said Sandy Bendewald, current social services director who is retiring in January. "I have all the faith in the world in Em. This will be a smooth transition."
Burkett will hold the position on an interim basis for six months before a review and possible permanent appointment to the post.
Casey Bradley, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer, said Burkett has been a county employee for 33 years with the last 21 years in a supervisory capacity.
Bendewald said other staff within the social services department would be promoted on an interim basis to handle supervisory roles within the department. The Social Services Board approved advertising to fill the position vacated by the promotions.
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In other business, the Stutsman County Commission approved Interstate Engineering to do preliminary engineering for a project planned for Stutsman County Highway 44, also known as the Jackson Highway, next summer. The project includes an overlay of the paved surface and chipsealing for 7 miles.
Preliminary engineering is estimated at $35,000 with the total project estimated at $1.2 million.
Interstate Engineering submitted the only bid for the project.
