Buncombe County Commissioners tap Sarah Gross as new clerk to the board

Press release from Buncombe County:

Following a nationwide search, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners looked to its backyard for a new Clerk to the Board. On Tuesday, May 7, Commissioners approved hiring Sarah Gross for the position. Transitioning from her role as Deputy Clerk with the City of Asheville, Sarah brings a unique combination of skills and existing familiarity with Buncombe County. “I was drawn to this position by the opportunity to continue contributing to the community that I call home. As a community member myself, I’ve been actively engaged with the local happenings and the impactful work of Buncombe County,” says Sarah. “The professionalism and dedication demonstrated by the organization has always impressed me, and I am excited to join such a dynamic team.”

Sarah brings extensive academic and practical experience to the position. She earned her Master of Public Administration from Western Carolina University and has spent the last eight years with the City of Asheville where she worked directly with the City Clerk helping to manage and preserve vital City records, facilitate board appointments, help ensure compliance with open meeting laws and other regulatory requirements, and more. Sarah is also a certified Municipal Clerk and looks to draw on that existing experience as she familiarizes herself with the County and its processes. “Looking ahead, my long-term goals include working with internal and external stakeholders to advance my office’s mission of promoting efficiency and transparency in our processes by utilizing new technologies and innovative strategies,” she says. “I see the office as more than the custodian of records; we are champions of transparency and efficiency within government. Additionally, the Clerk to the Board is in a unique position to foster relationships that work toward making government more welcoming and inclusive.”

Commissioner Amanda Edwards says Sarah’s extensive experience and existing knowledge of Buncombe County makes her an excellent fit for the position. “The Clerk to the Board may not be a role that is highly visible, but it is pivotal to the organization given the great responsibility for ensuring meetings are documented thoroughly and accurately for posterity,” explains Commissioner Edwards. “With her keen eye for detail, vision for how a clerk can work alongside Commissioners, and deep care for community, Sarah makes for the ideal candidate to be Buncombe County’s next clerk to the board.”

Sarah will start working as the County’s Clerk to the Board on May 28.

Sarah Gross’s professional biography

Sarah Gross is a dedicated public servant with a proven track record in municipal governance, legal support, and public administration. With a background rooted in local government, Sarah served as Deputy City Clerk for the City of Asheville, NC for eight years. In this role, she provided essential support to the City Council and the City Clerk, overseeing City Council administration and managing the creation and preservation of official city records. Her expertise extends to overseeing the appointment process for various Boards and Commissions, conducting training sessions, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements such as the NC Open Meeting Laws. Before serving as Deputy Clerk, Sarah was a Legal Assistant for the City of Asheville and a Deputy Court Clerk for Mecklenburg County Superior Court.

Sarah earned her Master of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University, is a certified Municipal Clerk, and has been designated a Master Municipal Clerk, a prestigious recognition from the International Clerk’s Association.  Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as the Clerk to the Board. Outside of the office, Sarah enjoys trail running and spending time in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She looks forward to continuing her service to our community in this new role.