The Cumberland County Commission last night selected Sandy Gilbert to be the interim property assessor. The position came open after the recent passing of Lori Lowe Powell.

Gilbert was among 13 candidates for the job. The number went down from 14 at the start of the meeting when County Mayor Allen Foster announced James Cook wished to withdraw his name from consideration.

That left Chad Norris, Sheila Drake, Kelli Tipton, Andrew Powell, Mark Madden, Tory King, Chad Garrett, Tom Howard, Sandy Gilbert, Aaron Pedigo, Stacie Reed, Gail Vinson, and Donald Johnson.

Each received up to 10 minutes to address the county commission on the qualifications they could bring to the property assessor office.

The county commission next opened the floor for nominations. The number was reduced to seven with Sheila Drake, Sandy Gilbert, Tom Howard, Tory King, Andrew Powell, Kelli Tipton, and Gail Vincent.

Gilbert received 12 out of 17 votes from the commission. She needed at least 10. County Mayor Allen Foster then administered the oath of office to Powell. She will serve until the election in 2022 to fill the final two years of Powell’s term.

She formerly served as chief deputy property assessor under Powell. Gilbert possesses 31 years’ experience in the tax assessor’s office.