CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Attorney John Dowd tendered his resignation Tuesday after 40 years of service.
Dowd will remain on staff through July 2014 as the county begins to set up a full legal department that will eventually feature multiple attorneys.
He said he will use that year to assist the county in the transition.
“I’ve enjoyed representing the board and the people of the county,” Dowd told commissioners during their meeting Tuesday. “I take a great deal of pride in what this county has established. I think we’re the best county in the state of Florida.”
Commissioner Nathan Boyles commended Dowd’s tenure as “unparalleled in this state and perhaps across the nation.”
He added that Dowd’s experience will be vital during the transition to a larger legal department.
“The level of knowledge he’s built up in his years with the county is impressive and has a value, and I think we’ll be able to tap that resource,” Boyles said.
Commissioner Wayne Harris said Dowd’s record of service is unprecedented and praised him for “making a very, very difficult decision.”
Commissioners also thanked Dowd for agreeing to stay on until a new attorney is hired.
Commissioner Kelly Windes thanked Dowd for always looking out for the county’s best interests.
“I’ve had several frank discussions with him over the last seven months, and he’s always been very forthright and very honest, and he’s always kept the interest of Okaloosa County in mind, which is commendable,” Windes said.
Commissioners directed Human Resources Director Kay Godwin to move forward with advertising job descriptions of a new county attorney and paralegal and to start accepting resumes.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Kari C. Barlow at 850-315-4438 or kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KariBnwfdn.