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About Us

The Board of County Commissioners has a very diverse and complex mission as it relates to the daily operation of county government. The Board is responsible for ensuring that the county, as a whole, operates within a balanced budget and it also acts as the appropriating authority for all county departments. It is the Board that is the sole taxing authority for the county and holds title to all county property. All county purchasing is overseen by the Board as well. State law dictates other duties such as ruling on annexation requests and providing water and sewer services where needed. The Board of County Commissioners also provides a conduit for information sharing among many agencies that allows for problem solving and service coordination that benefits the citizens of the county.

Dwight Garrett

President

Ross County Commissioner Dwight Garrett started his second term as commissioner January 2, 2021. He previously served as an educator for 36 years, 20 of which was in administration. Garrett has also worked as an Area Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Education in the Office of School Finance.

Garrett graduated from Adena High School, earned his Bachelor's Degree in Education from Ohio University. He earned his Master's Degree in Education from Ashland University. Garrett received his principals and superintendent licensure from Ashland University.

Garrett serves on multiple Boards. A life-long resident of Ross County, Dwight Garrett and his wife, Carla, have been married for 26 years and live in Chillicothe. They have 4 adult children, Erin, Jacob (wife Amanda} Rachael (husband Eric Young), and Joshua. They are the proud grandparents of 6 grandchildren, Elijah, Judah, Kit, Canon, Cali and Remi.

James E. Lowe

Commissioner

James “Oody” Lowe began his first term as County Commissioner in January 2021, serving as the first African American Ross County Commissioner. James is a six year veteran of the US Army Military Police Corp, and served twenty eight years as a Chillicothe Police Officer before retiring. He also served as a member of the Adena Local School Board of Education for eighteen years and spent seven years with the Ross County Sheriff’s Department as the part-time school safety officer.

James was born and raised in rural Ross County, one of three children of the late Edward and Anna Lowe. He and his wife Brenda have six adult children and ten wonderful grandchildren.

Jack Everson

Commissioner

Jack Everson began his first term as Ross County Commissioner in January 2023. He is the former Mayor of Chillicothe (2012 - 2016), and prior to his term, worked in manufacturing management for 34 years as a turnaround expert helping several companies return underperforming operations to profitability. He is also President of Platinum Horizon Group, and Executive Director of BESTOhio Industry Sector Partnership focused on workforce development in six counties in south-central Ohio.

Everson graduated from Chillicothe High School, and went on to Ohio University to graduate with a degree in Physics. He has served on a multitude of community boards since his return to Chillicothe in 2000.

Jack and his wife Christine have been married for 39 years and live in Chillicothe. They have 4 adult children, Jason (wife Penny), Branden (wife Sarah), Stacy (husband Cale) and Kelly (husband Ryan). They are the proud grandparents of 26 terrific grandchildren!