JACKSON – Interim no more.

As of yesterday (July 1), Cathy Allen dropped the Interim from her title and became known simply as Northampton County Tax Administrator.

Allen had been named to the job on an interim basis in October of 2003 and had performed the duties since that time.

County Manager Wayne Jenkins appeared before the board June 20 to request Allen take the job on a permanent basis. He told the board the position had been properly advertised and that a panel consisting of the Human Resources Director, Finance Officer, Health Director, Public Works Director and himself had recommended Allen.

Commissioner Fannie Greene moved to approve Allen’s appointment with Commission Vice Chairman Robert Carter offering a second. The motion passed unanimously.

&uot;Thank you for the work you have done as an interim,&uot; Commission Chair Virginia Spruill said. &uot;We know you will do well.&uot;

Following her appointment, Spruill allowed Allen to address the audience.

&uot;Thank you for your support,&uot; she told commissioners. &uot;I have spent half of my life working for Northampton County.&uot;

She said she had been working with the tax office for 26 years and she was happy to be part of &uot;The best tax department in the state of North Carolina.&uot;

Allen also said she wanted to take the tax department online, allowing citizens the option of paying their taxes electronically.

Before being appointed Interim Tax Administrator, Allen served for three years as Chief Deputy Assessor with the same department. In that role, she performed administrative and supervisory work in the listing and assessing of taxes.

Before taking that responsibility, she was Tax Listing Supervisor/Assistant Tax Administrator Listing for eight years. From 1980-1992, Allen served as Tax Collection Supervisor for Northampton County.

She also served two years as Deputy Register of Deeds.

A 1973 graduate of Northampton County High School – East, Allen also has an Associate in Applied Science Degree from Halifax Community College.