White County commissioners have appointed retired clerk of commissioners Jean Welborn as interim county manager as they search for a successor to Alton Brown, who was fired last week for a DUI arrest.

County Commission Chairman Travis Turner said Welborn, who served for 18 years as clerk for the commission, will take over daily operations until a permanent manager can be hired.

"She brings a wealth of knowledge, stability and love of this community, and we are very grateful that she is willing to serve in this capacity," Turner said.

The appointment was made at the commission’s Monday night meeting, four days after Brown was fired for a July 11 DUI arrest.

Brown, who served as manager of the county of 25,000 since 2003, will receive half of his $107,000 annual salary in a severance package as specified by his contract.

Brown was arrested at 1:30 a.m. July 11 in downtown Cleveland after a Cleveland police officer pulled him over for alleged erratic driving. Brown refused to take a breath test and an open container of alcohol was found in his car, police said.

Turner had served as acting county manager since the arrest.

Welborn retired as county commission clerk in March. She has agreed to serve as county manager as long as it takes to hire a successor, Turner said.

Turner said the county will begin advertising the position soon and will consider outside candidates as well as those currently employed by the county.