David Ivey In a called meeting Aug. 15, the Lometa City Council was rocked by the resignation of Mayor David Ivey who has accepted a position with the Lometa Housing Authority.

Citing a conflict of interest, Ivey asked that his resignation be effective immediately. Mayor Pro Tem Doug Brister will fulfill the mayoral duties until the position is filled.

"The city has taken a turn for the better with revenue over expenditures on the rise," Ivey said. "Our new budget includes health insurance for city employees and the purchase of long-needed equipment, and our tax rates still have not increased. I only hope that the city continues this trend of fiscal stability, but for me it had to be a choice of monetary versus voluntary at this point."

The council accepted Ivey's resignation and declared a vacancy in the post.

In other business, the council approved an ordinance separating the office of municipal judge and mayor. The judge position is an appointed one with a four-year tenure.

Ivey volunteered his services as municipal judge. Having recently completed training for the position, the former mayor was willing to continue in that capacity. The council OK'd the appointment.

The mayor's resignation letter follows.

* Dear Members of Council:

It is with sincere regret and deep sadness that I submit this letter of resignation.

Due to an unforeseen legal conflict of interest arising from employment with the Lometa Housing Authority as the executive director and the office of Mayor of Lometa, I must resign the mayor's position effective at the conclusion of the Special Called Meeting on August 15, 2008. I consulted TML's legal department and was advised by their legal team that I shouldn't continue as mayor owing to the nature of the aforementioned conflict.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your cooperation and support in my short tenure as the Mayor, and I would also like to apologize to each of you and those that voted for me for not being able to fulfill the obligations of the office. I truly hope that this doesn't create an undue burden on those it affects.

Sincerely and Regretfully,

David R. Ivey