MOUNTAIN PINE -- The resignation of Mayor Robert Palmer -- which he announced in April -- took effect Thursday, according to a letter of resignation the city provided after the City Council declared the position vacant.
Palmer had said he would serve until the end of April when he announced his resignation at the April 1 council meeting, but he didn't formally resign until Thursday. City Attorney Brian Albright said the council declared the seat vacant after it discovered Palmer was no longer living in Mountain Pine.
Albright said that the City Council had discussed the employment status in executive session and that, after returning to public session, the council declared the position vacant.
"I think their finding was that he doesn't live in Mountain Pine," Albright said. "He has to be a qualified elector to maintain office."
Palmer could not be reached for comment.
Mountain Pine officials said Palmer turned in his city-issued cellphone but he has continued to receive a $200-a-month salary since announcing his resignation.
The executive functioning of the city will be held in abeyance until the council can appoint Palmer's successor at its July 11 meeting, Albright said. For the purposes of presiding over the meeting, authority goes to Recorder/Treasurer Tambrea Bailey, he said.
Palmer's successor will complete the remainder of a four-year term that ends in 2018. Palmer took office in January 2011 after defeating incumbent Frank Babb Jr. in a runoff. He defeated J.L. Long for re-election in 2014.
Palmer said in April that his departure was the result of health problems stemming from his heart attack in February and a contentious atmosphere at City Hall.
Metro on 07/05/2016