The field of possible candidates to fill the unexpired term of Halifax County Sheriff Jeff Frazier is expected to grow beyond the sheriff’s recommendation of his chief deputy, Wes Tripp.

In anticipation of that, County Attorney Glynn Rollins today advised commissioners they need to come up with a process to review those interested in the job.

One thing Rollins noted the board does not have to appoint the candidate until July 2. Frazier is retiring at the end of June.

“In the interim, how you want to handle it is something to be thinking about,” the county attorney said.

Even though they are appointing an elected official, discussions of qualifications can be held in closed session, Rollins said.

Halifax County is one of the 54 in the state that doesn’t have to take the recommendation of the Democratic Party, Rollins said. “They can recommend but you don’t have to go along with that recommendation.”

Rollins suggested the board might want to take applications along with resumes while board Chair James Pierce suggested those interested in the unexpired term pass their recommendations on to the county manager’s office. “We’re going to have the final say,” Pierce said.

Pierce said before the meeting today he had already received names of others besides Tripp but declined to discuss them.

“I’ve had a few,” Commissioner Marcelle Smith said following the meeting. “I’m not naming names.”