Laurens County Administrator Thomas Higgs Announces Resignation, Accepts New Role in Colleton County
April 22, 2025
Laurens County Administrator Thomas Higgs has announced his resignation, sharing that he has accepted the position of County Administrator for Colleton County. Higgs, who has served as Laurens County Administrator since August 2021, will remain in his current role through May 18, 2025, following official action taken by Laurens County Council on Tuesday night.
During a special called meeting, Council voted 6-0 to accept Higgs’ resignation and to modify the 45-day resignation period outlined in his contract to 30 days, setting May 18 as his final day with the county. Councilman Brown Patterson was not present due to being out of town.
Council also voted unanimously (6-0) to authorize the County Attorney to obtain offers from employment search firms and to present those options to Council at its next meeting as the search begins for the county’s next administrator.
In an emotional statement, Higgs reflected on his time in Laurens County and the deep connections he’s formed with the community and his team.
“Laurens County has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve been blessed to work alongside an incredible team—standing with me through the loss of my brother, my father, and a life-changing hurricane. This wasn’t an easy decision, but the time feels right to begin the next chapter. I’m leaving a piece of my heart here, but I believe I’m leaving things better than I found them. I love this community and the people who have become like family to me—and I’ll always be grateful for all they’ve done and all that’s still ahead,” said Higgs.
Leadership Defined by Service and Commitment
Laurens County Council Chair Jeff Carroll expressed appreciation for Higgs’ leadership and dedication during his time with the county.
“Thomas Higgs has led Laurens County with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right for our citizens and employees. His steady leadership—especially through challenges like Hurricane Helene—has made a lasting impact on this community. While we are sad to see him go, we wish him the very best in this next chapter and thank him for his service to Laurens County,” Carroll said.
When asked what he is most proud of during his tenure as Laurens County Administrator, Higgs pointed to several key accomplishments.
Prior to his role as County Administrator, Higgs served as City Manager for the City of Clinton for nearly two years.
A defining moment of Higgs’ leadership in Laurens County came in the wake of Hurricane Helene. In the aftermath of the devastating storm, Higgs lived in his office for weeks as he worked tirelessly alongside county staff to coordinate response and recovery efforts. His leadership during that time has been widely recognized as a critical factor in helping the county navigate the crisis.
Details on the administrator search process will be announced at the next regular County Council meeting when search firm options are presented for consideration.
