Warren County officials from judge-executive to constable took their oaths of office Monday at the county courthouse.

Lynette Yates, who will replace County Clerk Dot Owens in January, said after the swearing-in ceremony that the prospect of stepping into her new role as clerk is both exciting and scary.

“I want to make all the people that voted for me proud for casting that vote,” she said.

Yates, who beat Owens 20,694 to 11,754 in the November election, said she also wants to work hard to win the support of those who did not vote her and gain their confidence.

Jan. 5 will be her official first day in office, but Yates said the office will be closed for business that day so state officials can

perform an audit. That is standard procedure when a fee-handling official leaves office.

The office will be open for business Jan. 6. 

Yates said an update of the county clerk’s website is underway, which she hopes to have completed by Jan. 5.

She plans other improvements at the clerk’s office, including extended hours to better accommodate residents. “It’s not all going to happen overnight, obviously,” Yates said.

Four new magistrates who will serve on Warren County Fiscal Court along with incumbents District 3 Magistrate Tony Payne and District 6 Magistrate Darrell Traughber were sworn in.

Doug Gorman, magistrate-elect for District 1, said he is honored to serve. “It’s something very humbling,” he said.

Gorman said he’s anxious to get to work and that economic development will be of the upmost importance to him in the coming year.

He and other magistrates have been meeting with county department heads and learning about county operations, he said.

“I can tell you that our county is blessed with the employees we have and with the department heads we have,” Gorman said.

Tom Lawrence, magistrate-elect for District 2, said he’s excited about the opportunity to serve on Fiscal Court. “I just can’t wait for the work to get started,” he said.

Lawrence said he attributes his success to the strong support of friends and family. “A good support group is how I got here,” he said.

Rex McWhorter, incoming District 4 magistrate, said he and his wife worked hard for months on the election. “I’m very humbled,” he said of his election.

In the coming year, McWhorter said economic development improvements will be important for the county. “I am about economic development,” he said. “I really want to see our county continue to grow.”

Mark Young, who was elected as magistrate in District 5, said he was feeling “ecstatic and very proud,” after taking his oath of office.

Young said he was pleased that all five of his grandsons attended his swearing-in.

He said he has been trying to prepare himself for taking over his new position. “Ever since the election, I have not missed a court meeting,” Young said. 

He said the county is losing four good magistrates, and he hopes to do as well as the magistrates who are leaving Fiscal Court.

— Follow government reporter Katie Brandenburg at twitter.com/BGDNgovtbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.