The Hill County Commissioners Court accepted the resignation of Precinct 3 Commissioner Scotty Hawkins during a special meeting Thursday, June 4.
Hawkins did not cite a reason for his resignation, and he will continue to have obligations to fulfill until a new commissioner is in place. Hawkins, first elected in 2016, was in the middle of his most recent term, which was scheduled to be back on the ballot in the 2028 election cycle.
While the responsibility of appointing a commissioner typically falls to the county judge, County Judge Shane Brassell said that the process is different in an election year.
With March primaries over and November’s general election approaching, Brassell said that Precinct 3 party chairs will be able to select candidates to place on the ballot.
Hawkins has not publicly commented on the reason for his resignation, but commissioners Larry Crumpton and Jim Holcomb voiced support and appreciation for his time with the county during the meeting.
“I want to say that the (data center moratorium) vote we made a few weeks ago, I respect the way they (Hawkins and Martin Lake) voted,” said Crumpton.
Crumpton said that the two commissioners voted against the moratorium in an effort to protect the county. “Scotty has been a good commissioner and a good friend,” he added. “We’ve worked well together. I hate to see him go.”
Holcomb agreed, calling Hawkins an integral part of the court. “You will be sorely missed,” he said.
Brassell said that the process of political parties selecting candidates was expected to begin soon.
The Lakelander 