October 18, 2023 |
PHOTO – Byron Barkhurst – Courtesy White Stone Realty
Byron Barkhurst resigned his position from the Board of Carbon County Commissioners on Tuesday.
The board declared a vacancy during its meeting held in Medicine Bow.
Commission Chair Sue Jones read a letter from Barkhurst addressed to the citizens of Carbon County. Jones read from the letter in which Barkhurst recounted many of the efforts to which he has contributed but said he is stepping down immediately from the elected position because of “personal reasons that are beyond my control.”
In the letter, Barkhurst expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to work with the other elected officials in the county along with County Department heads and their staff.
He also thanked the people who make Carbon County a special place to live.
Commissioner John Johnson moved to accept Barkhurst’s resignation.
Following yesterday’s meeting, the board released a written statement regarding the matter. “The Carbon County Board of County Commissioners regretfully accepted Byron Barkhurst’s resignation,” the letter read in part.
Chairwoman Jones said she understands that the former commissioner’s personal business takes precedence over his duties on the board. The chairwoman said she recognized the effort Barkhurst made to learn how to be an effective county commissioner.
Barkhurst’s term expires in January of 2025.
A formal process of naming his replacement now begins.
According to Wyoming State Law, the chairman of the Carbon County Republican Central Committee has 20 days after receipt of the notice to call a meeting and select three (3) qualified persons to fill the vacancy.
The Board of County Commissioners is statutorily required to fill the vacancy within twenty (20) days after receiving the list of qualified persons from the Carbon County Republican Central Committee.
Interested persons should contact the chairman of the Carbon County Republican Central Committee.
According to the Carbon County election results from November 3, 2020, Barkhurst drew the second highest vote count—4,012—trailing only John Espy who had 4,515 votes.
