North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 153A. Counties § 153A-83. Acting county manager

By letter filed with the clerk, the manager may designate, subject to the approval of the board of commissioners, a qualified person to exercise the powers and perform the duties of manager during the manager's temporary absence or disability.  During an absence or disability, the board may revoke the designation at any time and appoint another person to serve until the manager returns or his disability ceases.