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Mitchell County sheriff to retire May 31; board asked to consider interim appointment
Summary
The county sheriff told Mitchell County supervisors on March 10 he will move his retirement to May 31 and asked the board to consider appointing an interim sheriff — either a deputy who is seeking the job or a non-candidate — with a decision possible at the March 17 meeting.
The Mitchell County sheriff announced at the supervisors meeting on March 10 that his retirement date has been moved up to May 31 and asked the board to consider who should be appointed interim sheriff beginning June 1. He presented two primary options: appoint a deputy who is also running in the special election (to provide continuity) or appoint a non-candidate to avoid the appearance of influencing the election.
The sheriff said he met with both deputies who had expressed interest and reported that one deputy (Halbach) is not seeking the sheriff’s position while another deputy (referred to in the sheriff’s remarks as Deputy Treece) had indicated interest. He asked the board to take the matter up as soon as possible and suggested adding the appointment to the March 17 agenda so any appointment could be effective June 1. The sheriff also urged starting recruitment and civil-service testing now to allow time to hire a replacement deputy if necessary.
Two deputies seeking consideration addressed the board during public comment. "Those of you that don't know me in here, I'm Justin Trees with the sheriff's office. I'm one of the individuals who are seeking appointment," Justin Trees said, offering to answer questions and requesting the board's consideration. Greg Halbach described himself as a longtime deputy and second-in-command with roughly 25 years of service and said he understands the office and would serve as needed.
County officials discussed the election and nomination timeline: because the vacancy does not occur until May 31, candidates would not file for the primary and party conventions or nominating processes would determine who appears on the general-election ballot. The sheriff noted that appointing a deputy who is also running could be seen as giving that candidate an advantage, and said appointing a non-candidate is an available alternative.
No appointment or formal vote took place at the March 10 meeting. The sheriff asked the supervisors to consider the appointment at their March 17 meeting; board members said they would add the item to that agenda for further discussion.
What happens next: the supervisors are expected to place an appointment item on the March 17 agenda for further discussion and a possible vote. If the board appoints an interim sheriff, that person would serve until the winner of the November election takes office or until the board, by its process, sets a different timeline.
