by Bruce Gietzen
WACO - Long time McLennan County Judge Jim Lewis announced Tuesday afternoon he is retiring, effective September 30th at the end of the current fiscal year.
Lewis told News Channel 25 it's something he's been thinking about for awhile. He's been county judge for more than 20 years, and his term had its share of controversy including the costs associated with a new county jail.
The former Democrat switched parties in 2005, but stayed in office. He said in a statement he wanted to spend more time with his family, including three grandchildren and his wife, who is retiring this month.
"I am confident that I am leaving this office and our county better than it was whenever I first began over 40 years ago. Although I will greatly miss the many friends, challenges, and milestones that have made my job so thoroughly enjoyable, I am looking forward to the future time to be spend with family and grandkids," he added.
Lewis began his public service career with the sheriff's office, before moving to the commissioner's court and then being elected county judge in 1990.
Lewis expects County Commissioners will select someone to complete his term, which was set to expire in 2014. County Republican Chair Ralph Patterson says he's reached out to officials in Austin to see what the options are for selecting a successor, but right now many party leaders are at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
"We'll do what's in the best interests of the residents of McLennan County," Patterson said.
Moments before Lewis announced his retirement Tuesday afternoon, county commissioners approved a two-cent tax hike for next year's budget by a 3-2 vote. The average homeowner in McLennan County will see about a twenty dollar increase in taxes.
