After a change of heart, Euharlee City Manager James Stephens will not be leaving his position to take on the role of Floyd County Elections Supervisor. The Euharlee City Council met last night to say goodbye to Stephens by approving a resolution recognizing his service to the city after having held a reception in his honor.

However, when council returned from a lengthy executive session, Mayor Craig Guyton revealed that Stephens sent a letter requesting to withdraw his resignation.

The letter read, “Mayor Guyton, I am writing to humbly request the city council to approve the withdrawal of my resignation, which is scheduled to be finalized on April 6, 2022. I have continued to work diligently during this notice period and realized that I can still be an asset to the city of Euharlee.”

The council moved to accept the withdrawal of Stephens’ resignation and immediately offered him a contract through 2025, which he accepted.

At the meeting, Stephens spoke on his decision.

“I am grateful. I am sorry for the rollercoaster,” he said. “I think the steps of a good man are ordered by the lord – and I don’t mean to sound overly religious, but I believe I am supposed to stay here and I am grateful y’all are permitting it.”

Stephens told WBHF he decided to stay earlier that day after having breakfast with elected officials. He said they discussed the vision for the future of Euharlee, and he realized he wasn’t done with the city.

“It just got on my heart that I wasn’t completed with my task here at Euharlee,” he said in a phone interview.

Floyd County Interim Assistant Supervisor Vanessa Waddell said the board received the news Wednesday afternoon. A press release from the county announced that Pete McDonald will take on the role of sole interim Elections Supervisor. McDonald currently serves as interim Elections Supervisor, along with Steve Miller.

From WBHF radio