Commissioner Ward, family set for move to Florida
Polk County Commissioner Jason Ward is soon to be relocating out of the state and is off to the sunny east coast of Florida after finally being able to announce a new job after months of contemplation and work.
Ward announced on Facebook overnight on May 18 that he and his family will be “relocating to Jacksonville, Florida over the next couple of months. I am sure we will have more details to share later but right now we want to thank all our family, friends, and neighbors that have made the last 11 years since we moved back t o Polk County amazing.”
He said in an interview later in the day that he’ll be starting in a new position with Florida Valuation on June 1.
For the time being he’ll be commuting back and forth to work on county commission business.
“It’s a great firm, they do litigation work, DOT work and work for institutional clients,” he said. “That’s where I will be focusing my efforts in the future.”
Ward said he’ll continue on serving the county that he and his family will always consider home until they complete their move.
He said he is still working out the details on how he’ll be continuing on as county commissioner while on the road in Florida, and also the process for him to step down from the board in a timely fashion.
He said that in speaking to County Manager Matt Denton about his stepping down f r om t he board, the pair agreed he can remain on the job for the time being.
“He will be considered a county resident until he officially relocates to his new job,” Denton said in confirming the news this afternoon.
As he takes on a new job, Ward’s Appraisal Associates where he has been the managing partner and majority stakeholder since 2013, will be passing into the hands of junior partner Patrick Dillon.
Ward said that Dillon bought him out, but that nothing will be changing at the company otherwise. They employ 2 commercial and 2 residential appraisers.
“They will continue on business as usual and I believe they’re going to be setup for success,” he said.
The move has been in the works for six months, Ward said. He reiterated how much he’s also enjoyed serving the people of Polk County.
“It’s been a slow process, and we’ve taken our time to think it through,” he said.
First elected to office in 2010, Ward is in the middle of his second term in office as a Commissioner. He would have faced election again in 2018.
With more than a year left on his term, Commissioners will get to decide who joins them on the board for what is left of Ward’s time in office once he resigns.
If they can’t agree on who should take the seat, then the process would end up in the hands of the grand jury according to Elections Director Karen Garmon.
Ward’s announcement also added an invite to friends and family to come and visit when they get settled in Jacksonville.
“We won’t be strangers and hope to get back often to visit,” the overnight Facebook posting read.
“In the meantime, if you need a place to stay when you head to the beach just let us know.”
Ward’s announcement is just the latest story coming from the County Commission this week, which included overturning a veto on paving requests for recreation parking lots in the cities o f Ce d a r t o wn an d Rockmart, and the announcement of a departmental audit of the Polk County Police Department following a letter containing anonymous allegations was sent to commissioners by Sheriff Johnny Moats.
After the news came out, fellow commissioners had th e i r o wn thoughts to share about Ward’s future departure. All five of the group had well wishes to share, including Commission Chair Marshelle Thaxton.
“I hate to see him go, I really do. He’s been a good board member,” he said. “We haven’t always agree and never do, and you aren’t supposed to.”
Commissioner Chuck Thaxton also added his well wishes, even though he hadn’t the time to develop as close a relationship with his colleague.
“I appreciate his willingness to serve and I enjoyed being with him the short time I have been, and I wish him all the best in his new endeavor,” said Thaxton in response to the news.
Commissioner Scotty Tillery also had his own words of praise for Ward.
“Jason and his wife Hannah have been pillars of the community for a number of years, and t hey will be s orely missed,” Tillery said. “But I wish him all the best in his new job, and hope he has a lot of success.”
Commissioner Stefanie Drake Burford also added that she was sad to see him departing for Florida but that “I understand he must do what is best for his family and I fully support his decision.”
Also adding her well wishes was Commissioner Jennifer Hulsey.
Once Ward leaves, Commissioners will then have to decide who will take his place as the second representative of the District 1 area of Polk County.
Marshelle Thaxton explained that commissioners will have to vote 4-1 on a replacement for him in a new procedure put in place after Commissioner Scotty Tillery was appointed to the board to fill the remainder of the term of Billy Croker.
He said that an application process should begin soon, and those interested would have to submit paperwork to the county in the coming weeks and months.
Thaxton added that if Commissioners can’t come to a decision together on who should replace Ward, it would then be put into the hands of the Grand Jury to decide his replacement for the balance of his term.