Lowndes County Sheriff C.B. “Butch” Howard asked the county Board of Supervisors to accept his resignation effective Dec. 31. The motion passed unanimously at Monday’s regular meeting.
He cited “personal economic reasons” for leaving his term two days early. Sheriff-elect Mike Arledge will be sworn into office Jan. 3 Howard is retiring after three terms as sheriff and three terms as chief deputy.
Howard has 30 years of experience toward retirement. He said Mississippi law would prevent him from drawing retirement nearly another year if he worked any of the new calendar year.
“All I’m doing is giving up two days so I can start drawing my retirement Jan. 1,” he explained Monday afternoon.
Supervisors discussed whether the county could be without a sheriff for two days and the procedure to appoint someone.
Howard said he was appointed once to serve a few days between sheriffs and recommended that Chief Deputy Greg Wright be appointed to serve Jan. 1 and 2.
The board approved Howard’s recommendation and accepted Howard’s resignation “with great reluctance,” Board President and District 1 Supervisor Harry Sanders said.
“It’s with great reluctance that I give it to you,” the sheriff said.
He also resigned as a member of the E911 board, effective Dec. 31, and asked permission to buy his service weapon for $10 per state law. Supervisors approved both requests.
In other business, supervisors:
n Approved an agreement with C Spire phone company for a District 3 Volunteer Fire Department repeater.
n Gave County Administrator Ralph Billingsley permission to advertise for applications for the E911 board vacancy left by Howard’s resignation.
n Announced a Jan. 3 swearing-in ceremony for all new county officials at Trotter Convention Center. Therefore, the board will conduct its regular meeting at 11 a.m. that day instead of 9 a.m.
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