CHESTERTOWN — Lacey M. Townsend has been appointed Kent County Clerk, effective May 2.
The Kent County Commissioners announced Townsend’s appointment in a news release Tuesday, June 9.
She succeeds Sondra Blackiston, who now has a position in the county’s Planning, Housing & Zoning Department.
According to County Administrator Shelley Heller, Townsend worked alongside Blackiston since joining the team in the commissioners’ office in 2019.
In addition to her nearly decade of service within Kent County Government, Townsend has more than 15 years of administrative and financial experience in public service.
After joining Kent County Government in 2017, she first served in the Kent County Parks and Recreation Department as office manager, supporting financial operations, customer service, meeting preparation and website content management.
In 2019, Townsend advanced to the County Commissioners’ Office as deputy clerk, where she provided daily operational support to the county commissioners, the county clerk and the county administrator.
Her responsibilities included agenda development; legislative documentation; codification of ordinances and resolutions; managing public notices; processing alcohol license renewals; and supporting budget preparation and monitoring.
“Lacey has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and reliability in her service to Kent County. Her strong organizational skills, attention to detail and commitment to public service make her an excellent choice for County Clerk,” Heller said in a written statement. “I look forward to continuing to work with her in this new capacity.”
Embracing the new opportunity, Townsend said she is “honored to serve as Kent County Clerk and look forward to continuing to support transparent, efficient and responsive county government.”
Prior to joining Kent County Government, Townsend served the Town of Rock Hall as assistant clerk/treasurer from 2010 to 2017. In this role she managed utility billing, payments, business and trader licensing, town website updates and meeting preparation, while supporting the clerk/treasurer, town manager, mayor and councilmembers.
Townsend is a graduate of Kent County High School. She has completed business management coursework at Northwest State Community College.
