INEZ — Martin County Judge/Executive Bill Davis is resigning effective Friday. Davis made the announcement Tuesday at the end of the Fiscal Court special meeting.
“I am officially offering my resignation as judge/executive of Martin County effective 3/26/21,” said Davis. “I am proud of what was accomplished the past two years and I believe my office made a positive difference in people’s lives. I want to thank everyone.”
Davis told the magistrates that they needed to get together and pick a person to represent them, who could sign and make decisions on fiscal court matters until the governor appoints a replacement.
“With that being said, I want to say goodbye and God bless,” he said.
Davis, the Republican candidate who won election to the office in 2018 and took office in 2019, gave no further details as to his reason for resigning.
Under state law, the vacancy will be filled with a person appointed by the governor for the unexpired term. The governor will make the appointment within 30 days.
Former Judge/Executive Kelly Callaham, a Democrat has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Davis.
In the meantime, the magistrates will elect one of their members to serve as temporary county judge/executive until the governor fills the vacancy.
Davis’ resignation follows on the heels of Deputy Judge/Executive Steve Goble’s resignation last week, also effective Friday. Davis said last week that he hoped Goble would reconsider his decision as Martin County needs his expertise and experience. The judge said he had depended on Goble the last two years for his legal advice, grant writing skills and commitment to see projects become reality, such as the solar farm project that is scheduled to begin construction next year.
On Thursday, Davis told Fiscal Court members that Goble had decided to rescind his resignation.
However, Goble said Tuesday that he would not be rescinding his resignation and his last day would be Friday.
Now if only Phil would follow suit.