The Santee Town Council has voted to offer its town administrator position to Clarendon County Deputy Administrator Sharmane Y. Anderson.
According to reporting from The Times and Democrat, council members Gregory King, Shirley P. Small and Robert T. Anderson voted in favor of extending the offer during the council’s March 4 meeting. Council member Sheryl J. Patrick was absent. Robert T. Anderson stated for the record that he is not related to Sharmane Y. Anderson.
Santee Mayor Donnie Hilliard said the town received 21 applications for the administrator position. Nine candidates were selected for interviews, though four later withdrew from consideration. The remaining candidates interviewed included Brandon E. Carter, Joseph D. Fleming, Bert E. O’Rear and Michael K. Burgess.
Hilliard did not vote but voiced support for the council’s decision and said the town anticipates Anderson could begin the position within the next month.
Anderson currently serves as deputy administrator for Clarendon County, a role she assumed in 2023 after previously leading the county’s voter registration and elections office.
She briefly stepped into the county’s top administrative role last summer when longtime County Administrator Lynden Anthony retired. Clarendon County Council unanimously appointed Anderson as interim administrator in July while the county conducted a search for Anthony’s successor.
In October, council voted in a split decision to hire Walt Ackerman of Georgetown as county administrator. Anderson returned to her position as deputy administrator following that vote.
A Clarendon County native, Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Francis Marion University, a master’s degree in youth development leadership from Clemson University and a Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law. In December, she also completed the South Carolina Economic Development Institute, a statewide leadership program focused on economic development strategy.
The Manning Times has reached out to Anderson and Clarendon County Administrator Walt Ackerman for comment and will update this story as more information becomes available.
