The Marion County Quorum Court is now set to move forward on filling a vacancy created with the selection of David Nixon in late June as the new mayor of Bull Shoals. Nixon was selected to fill the vacancy created with the resignation of former Mayor David Hotchkiss, but a question remained if he could continue in his role as a justice of the peace.
At the time Nixon was selected as the new mayor of Bull Shoals, he was serving in his first term on the quorum court. Nixon says he verbally tendered his resignation to Marion County Judge Terry Ott and County and Circuit Clerk Dawn Moffett at the time he was chosen as Bull Shoals Mayor. However, he was asked to wait for a legal clarification to determine if he could serve in both roles.
Clerk Moffett says Marion County officials have been advised it is no longer possible for an individual to serve in these two roles simultaneously.
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Nixon says he submitted a letter of resignation following the outcome of the legal ruling.
Moffett says as an appointed mayor, Nixon may seek re-election. However, the individual who will be appointed by Governor Hutchinson to fill the vacant quorum court seat is barred from seeking re-election.
The Marion County Quorum Court must now move to officially declare the seat vacant in order for the Governor to make the appointment.
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