WINTON – After 30 years of service, Shelia Matthews has retired from Hertford County local government.

The official announcement came here Thursday at a special called meeting of the county’s Board of Commissioners. There, the board voted to accept Matthews’ letter of retirement.

Last month, Matthews celebrated her 30th year of employment with the county. She spent the majority of her career as an administrative assistant to the County Manager.

In 2010, Matthews was appointed by the Commissioners as the Clerk to the Board following the retirement of Patricia Weaver.

After accepting her letter of retirement, the Commissioners voted 3-0 to appoint Teresa Cowan as the temporary Clerk to the Board. That vote included a 10 percent increase in salary for Cowan, who currently is an administrative assistant to the County Manager.

Commissioners Curtis Freeman and Johnnie Ray Farmer were absent from Thursday’s special called meeting.