Sullivan's Angela Taylor honored as Trustee of the Year

SPENCER, Tenn. — At the Tennessee County Trustees Association Conference last month, Sullivan County Trustee Angela "Angel" Taylor was honored with the East Tennessee Division Outstanding Trustee of the Year Award. This recognition is presented to trustees who demonstrate exemplary service to the state of Tennessee and to the citizens of their county through dedicated public service. It came during a May conference held in Spencer. Since taking office in September 2022, a news release from the division said Taylor has worked diligently to improve accessibility and taxpayer services in Sullivan County. Under her leadership, the Bristol and Kingsport branch offices reopened, restoring convenient service locations for citizens across the county, the release said. She also successfully advocated for a County Tax Relief supplement after reductions to the State Tax Relief Program impacted local recipients. Taylor worked closely with the Tennessee Comptroller's Office to implement a multiple payment plan allowing taxpayers to make installment payments without interest or penalties. In 2025, she also secured approval for a pre-payment ACH draft option to help citizens better prepare for future tax bills. Taylor has served Sullivan County residents for more than 25 years through various roles in county government. She previously served in the Accounts & Budgets office, as executive assistant to the county mayor and commission for more than 14 years and as branch manager for the Bloomingdale and Thomas Memorial branch libraries. She earned a bachelor's of arts in paralegal studies from former Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia, and recently completed the Certified County Finance Officer designation through the state comptroller's office. Taylor is president of the East Tennessee Trustee Association, vice president of the Bristol Republicans, a member of the Sullivan County Ethics Committee and the Board of Directors for Abuse Alternative Inc. She is known for her accessibility, leadership and commitment to serving the citizens of Sullivan County, the release said. "Angela Taylor has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a genuine heart for public service," said Glynda Pendergrass, president of the Tennessee County Trustees Association. "Her professionalism, innovation, and dedication to taxpayers make her extremely deserving of this recognition." Angela and her husband, Mark Torbett, share a blended family of three children and four grandchildren. She is an active member of River of Life Baptist Church and enjoys gardening, the outdoors and spending time with her family. Her husband is solid waste director for Sullivan County. She is finishing her first four-year term in office that began Sept. 1, 2022 and has no competition in the Aug. 6 general election for a second term.