By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Columbus County’s top position is available but current County Manager Jim Varner need not apply.

The board voted 6-0 Monday night after a lengthy closed session not to renew Varner’s contract, which ends Oct. 4.

Commissioner James Prevatte made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Bill Memory, approved by all members present.

The decision would have been unanimous had Commissioner Lynwood Norris been present, he said Tuesday. Electrical problems prevented Norris from being at the meeting but he said the vote was “a unanimous thing” and confirmed he “would have voted with the rest of the board.”

The sole no vote came from Varner himself who raised his hand and said “me” after Jacobs called for any opposition to the motion.

Appearing to take the news in stride, Varner told reporters “no comment” before pointing out he had “no problems and no sorrows."

“I’ll be here for at least 90 days,” he explained, and when asked, he said he couldn’t remember the exact date his contract was signed.

“The fourth or fifth of October – I don’t remember,” Varner said nonchalantly. “It’s been a pleasure and an honor most of the time.”

“He’s a good fella,” Memory said.

“I think the world of him,” Commissioner Amon McKenzie added.

Jacobs praised Varner’s “integrity” and pointed out it was the general consensus Varner has “done a great job.”

“Mr. Varner came in at a bad time,” Norris said. “He has done a decent job.”

As for how Varner responded to the news, Commissioner Ricky Bullard thought he handled it well.
“I think Mr. Varner was a good sport about it.”

Chairman Sammie Jacobs said Tuesday advertisements for the manager’s position would be published as soon as possible.

The closed session is one of several that have seemingly led up to the decision not to renew Varner’s contract.

Last Monday, Prevatte asked for the closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

Upon going back into open session and as the general public entered the commissioner chambers, it appeared County Attorney Steve Fowler and County Manager Jim Varner were entering the room from an entrance at the back and had not been a part of the session.

It was not the first time Varner and Fowler, both who serve at the will of the board, had found themselves outside a closed session.

In May, another closed session for personnel was held with Varner and Fowler excluded for nearly an hour.

Under the terms of the 2006 contract, Varner’s hiring date was retroactive to Sept. 1, 2005.
Though commissioners approved it in June it was not signed until October.