Newly appointed Swain County Manager Tommy Dills says his priorities are rooted in the same values that shaped him growing up in the mountains of Western North Carolina: accountability, transparency and service to neighbors.
“I was born and raised here, so this place is not just where I work; it is home,” said Dills in an interview. “I have spent almost three decades serving this community.”
Dills, a longtime educator and administrator with Swain County Schools, recently stepped into the county manager role after nearly 30 years in public education. His background includes serving as a teacher, coach, principal and district-level administrator.
He said the position appealed to him because it aligned with his desire to solve problems and strengthen local systems for future generations.
“I was drawn to this position because it combines what I care most about: taking care of people, solving problems and building systems that will still be working well long after I am gone,” Dills said.
Dills described Swain County as a place defined less by its scenic beauty than by the resilience and character of its residents.
“We sit in the most beautiful part of the state, but what truly sets us apart is the people who have chosen to stay, raise families and live their lives here,” he said. “There is a strong sense of pride, toughness and loyalty in this community that you can neither manufacture nor buy.”
As county manager, Dills said his first year will focus heavily on evaluating county operations, improving communication and establishing long-term planning processes with the Board of Commissioners.
“In my first year, my priority is to listen, learn and build a strong foundation of relationships and systems,” he said. “If we can improve communication, increase trust, and create a more predictable, transparent way of doing business in that first year, we will be positioned to tackle bigger projects in the years ahead.”
Among his top priorities are strengthening internal operations, creating long-range financial plans and improving public communication.
“We need to explain why we do what we do, how decisions are made and where citizens can plug in when they have ideas or concerns,” Dills said.
Dills acknowledged residents’ concerns about affordability, employment opportunities and confidence in local government.
“The concerns I hear most often revolve around the cost of living, the availability of good jobs and the level of service they feel they are being provided by the local government,” he said. “People worry about whether their children and grandchildren will be able to afford to stay here and raise families of their own.”
He also stressed the need for realistic budgeting and sustainable spending.
“As a county we have to be realistic,” Dills said. “We can’t sustain a $30 million budget, so we can’t live that way. We have to own the difference between wants and needs.”
Dills said infrastructure challenges — particularly broadband access, affordable housing and emergency services — are among the county’s most pressing concerns.
“Reliable broadband is no longer a luxury; it is essential for education, health care, remote work and business,” he said. “Housing that working families can afford is vital if we want teachers, law enforcement, nurses and county employees to live in the communities they serve.”
Tourism, he added, remains important to the local economy but must be managed carefully.
“It can bring in outside dollars that help support local businesses and reduce pressure on property taxpayers,” Dills said. “At the same time, we need to manage tourism in a way that respects the people who live here year-round and protects the natural environment that draws visitors in the first place.”
He cautioned against viewing tourism as a cure-all for economic challenges.
“Tourism is not free money for our community,” Dills said. “It places real stress on the public service sections of our infrastructure.”
Transparency and trust, he said, will guide his approach to leadership.
“Transparency is essential if we expect citizens to trust their local government,” Dills said. “People may not agree with every decision we make, but they should be able to see how we got there, what information we relied on and who is responsible.”
Dills described his management style as “straightforward, relational, and accountable,” emphasizing collaboration while maintaining clear expectations.
“I am not a micromanager, but I am very detail-conscious when it comes to budgets, processes, and compliance,” he said.
Ultimately, Dills said he hopes residents see him first as a neighbor invested in the county’s future.
“My family is here, my roots are here and the decisions I make as county manager will affect people I have known my whole life,” he said. “I am not perfect and I will not get everything right, but I will always try to do what I believe is in the long-term best interest of the community.”