Clay County officials set to begin navigating the process to fill a vacancy in the county’s highway superintendent position.
That follows Wednesday’s resignation of Jason Browning. County Attorney Jimmy White said state law outlines multiple steps the county must follow, particularly given the proximity to the upcoming August election. White said the Highway Superintendent must name a successor, which in this case, is Angie Browning, the wife of Jason Browning.
“Since we are within 120 days of the general election in August, [she] could serve up until the time of the election or until the county commission appoints someone,” White said
White said county officials have indicated that the county commission plans to have a special-called meeting on June 15 to make an appointment. Before anyone can be considered, White said candidates must first meet certification requirements through the state’s Highway Certification Committee.
“When the county meets to fill that position, the vacancy, they could only choose between those people who are certified and have been given a letter by the highway certification group stating that they are certified,” White said.
White said obtaining certification is a multiple-week process. White said people interested in the position but do not have certification would likely need to submit an application for certification before June 3 to be eligible.
White also addressed misinformation circulating in the community about how the position will be filled.
“Well, you just hear that the county mayors appointing, can appoint somebody, that they can just go meet at their next regularly scheduled meeting, the county commission and appoint someone, you know, those types of things,” White said.
White said the timing of the resignation, less than 120 days before the August election, adds another layer of complexity.
“If there was more time before the election, it would just be a simple thing of them applying for the certification, then the county appointing someone, and that would be it,” White said. “Here, you could have someone appointed in June, and they would be done on August 31st.”
White said there will be no candidates listed on the ballot for the position this year. Instead, individuals interested in running must qualify as write-in candidates. To do so, White said they must also be certified and file the proper paperwork with the election commission by June 17 at noon.
White said he encourages residents to stay informed as the process unfolds, with more details expected ahead of the anticipated June meeting.