Oktibbeha County Supervisors have named Shalonda Sykes the county’s next justice court clerk.
Supervisors voted unanimously to hire Sykes, one of four candidates who interviewed for the position, during a special-call meeting on Monday. They set her salary at $55,000.
Sykes currently serves as the city of Starkville’s Municipal Court administrator. She’s worked with the city since 2005, when she started part-time with the court filing paperwork. She came on full time in 2006 as a deputy court clerk and was promoted to the court clerk in 2013. Sykes began serving as court administrator in 2017, when former court administrator Tony Rook left the position after winning the Oktibbeha County circuit clerk election.
Sykes, as the municipal court administrator, now oversees a court that brings in more than $1.5 million per year.
“I went from filing to managing, in a nutshell,” Sykes said. “I manage four deputy clerks. I make sure court starts on time, make sure we’ve got all the paperwork ready and dockets ready. We prepare dockets two days before court, so we’re ready.”
Supervisors also interviewed Martesa Bishop Flowers, Tawanda Weaver-Ware and Helen Walker.
Board President Orlando Trainer said Sykes’ experience helped set her apart from the field.
“It was the experience and also the possibility of taking that office from where it is to where it needs to be so it can be even more functional for the citizens,” Trainer said.
Sykes will follow Nora Goliday, Oktibbeha County’s current justice court clerk. Goliday has worked for the county since 1996, when she started as a deputy justice court clerk. She was promoted to justice court clerk in January 2010.
Goliday is retiring on June 30, according to county administrator Emily Garrard. Her salary is $53,560.
Sykes’ starting date has not yet been set.
After the meeting, Sykes said she was “amazed” that she got unanimous support from supervisors and hopes to help make the justice court run more smoothly.
“I think it’s just going to another court,” she said. “I think they can use all of my knowledge for running court efficiently and I think it’s going to be a good move.”
Mayor Lynn Spruill said the city will advertise for candidates to fill Sykes’ position, and the board of aldermen will take up staff recommendations for a hire after the interview process.
She said she was very thankful for Sykes’ long service to the city and congratulated Sykes on her new job.
“I’m sure Ms. Sykes thought this through and believes this is a good fit for her, and I’m delighted for her,” Spruill said. “We appreciate her service to Starkville and look forward to her continuing to be in the community and working with her on an as-needed basis.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.