Laurens County Names Public Information Officer, Pledging Clearer Communication

Laurens County has filled its long-vacant public information officer position, naming Darbi Jackson to the role effective July 1, 2026, the date the county’s new budget took effect.

Jackson has served as legal assistant to the county attorney since May 2024. The public information officer position had been created before she joined the county but had remained unfilled since the departure of the previous PIO. County Attorney Wes Meetze said Jackson’s handling of Freedom of Information Act requests, a core duty of a PIO, made her a natural fit.

Meetze said her potential quickly became clear, and discussions about moving her into the PIO position began shortly after she was hired.

In practice, Meetze said, Jackson already performs much of the work. Working with Clerk to Council Cheyenne Noffz, she helps maintain the county website, drafts and coordinates press releases, and schedules and hosts public events. Meetze described the change as recognition of the job she has been doing rather than a promotion.

The public information office will remain under the county’s legal department, and Jackson will report directly to the county attorney.

“Ms. Jackson is an indispensable member of the legal department, and I am excited and proud to see her move into this new role. Her work ethic, customer service, and communication skills are unparalleled. The residents of Laurens County can look forward to more consistent, timely and effective communication from their county government,” Meetze said.

A background in emergency response

Jackson graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in forensic anthropology and biology. Her work history spans customer service, law enforcement and, most recently, the county’s legal department.

Her emergency communication experience includes serving as the emergency PIO during the January 2026 winter storms and shadowing the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office PIO during Hurricane Helene. During 4.5 years in law enforcement, she worked as a first responder, communicating emergencies to dispatch and responding officers, reporting incidents to command staff and preparing reports documenting events.

Jackson is expected to serve as lead PIO in the Emergency Operations Center during activations. Meetze said the county plans to send her through FEMA public information officer certification and that she will work closely with the Laurens County Emergency Management Department.

FOIA and public records

The process for handling FOIA requests will not change, Meetze said. The primary difference is that responses will now come from the public information officer rather than the county attorney.

Media access and transparency

Reporters can expect a quick turnaround on routine inquiries, according to Meetze. For after-hours needs, media may reach Jackson on her cell phone at (864) 857-1020. Non-urgent inquiries can go to her email at [email protected] or the public information office’s main line at (864) 681-3156.

The job description calls for Jackson to review, edit and approve departmental content before publication. Meetze clarified that this applies to postings on the county website and social media pages maintained by county departments. County administration has no authority over elected officials, who remain free to speak directly with reporters at their discretion. Under the Laurens County Rules of Council, the County Council chairman continues to serve as the county’s official spokesperson but may delegate that authority to the PIO.

Currently, only Laurens County Council meetings are livestreamed and archived. Jackson plans to work with the county’s information technology department and administration to record additional board and committee meetings and post them to the Laurens County Government YouTube page. That would allow reporters to follow proceedings and reference actions taken without attending in person. Jackson will also serve as a liaison connecting media with council members and commissioners.

A central hub online

An early goal for the new role is establishing a verified Laurens County Government Facebook page to serve as a central source of information directly from the county. Jackson will monitor  messages and bring resident concerns to the appropriate parties.

Meetze said the page will function as an information hub rather than a public forum. Commenting on posts will be disabled, and residents with questions or comments can reach the county through the messaging features on each platform.

Looking ahead

Asked what residents should notice about county communication six months from now, Jackson pointed to greater engagement, including higher attendance at council meetings, more views of meeting recordings and answers to questions residents have not yet thought to ask.

“Laurens County strives to maintain transparency and provide resources for Laurens County citizens to be involved in government activities, I hope to expand and improve those efforts” Jackson said.

Jackson can be reached at [email protected] or (864) 681-3156. Because the public information office falls under the county attorney’s office, she can be located through the county’s Legal department at laurenscountysc.gov.