Finance director Guarino takes interim post again

COUNTY — After a little less than six months on the job, Pickens County administrator Matthew Delk announced his resignation last week.

No reason was given for Delk’s abrupt resignation, and county officials said they could not comment on personnel matters.

Pickens County Council members voted unanimously at a planning retreat on Saturday to name finance director Ralph Guarino as the interim replacement for Delk as a search is carried out to find a permanent administrator. Guarino has been with the county for 15 years and has served as interim administrator during two other searches, including last year after Chappell Hurst announced his retirement.

Delk, who joined the county in August after county council members unanimously approved his hiring the previous month, came to Pickens County from Union County, N.C., where he had been assistant county administrator since 2007.

According to a news release, county council chair Jennifer Willis said Guarino successfully guided the county through the budget process last year while serving as interim administrator.

Guarino and his staff have been awarded the Comprehensive Annual Finance Report (CAFR) for a consecutive nine years.

Councilman Neil Smith said council has the utmost respect and confidence in Guarino.