County to rescind treasurer's appointment

Stephens County Judge Michael Roach announced today the Stephens County Commissioners Court will be rescinding the appointment of Mary O’Dell as Stephens County Treasurer. The decision was made following further guidance from the outside council.

In a press release dated Nov. 2, Roach wrote that outside counsel reviewed the appointment and determined a conflict of interest exists that prohibits O’Dell from serving as an appointee of the commissioner's court.

“Mrs. O’Dell is qualified to run for Stephens County Treasurer and serve as an elected official,” Roach wrote. “However, because Eric O’Dell (Stephens County Commissioner Pct. 4) is related to Mrs. O’Dell and serves on the appointing body, she is prohibited from being appointed to fill the vacancy of Stephens County Treasurer.”

Mary O’Dell was appointed as treasurer during a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 30. She was appointed to replace Sharon Trigg, who tendered her resignation Tuesday, Oct. 24. While the opinion cites Eric O’Dell, Mary’s husband, as the source of the conflict of interest, Eric was not in attendance during the Oct. 30 special meeting and did not vote.

According to the release, the court will take necessary steps to rescind the appointment and appoint a new treasurer during a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m.

“Our goal is to faithfully follow the laws governing so many aspect of public service,” Roach wrote. “I appreciate your understanding!”

Trigg’s resignation and the offer of the appointment, Mary said, came as a surprise.“I was really sort of in shock because, I mean, everything was just so fast and I was honored that they thought that, you know, that I could do it...,” she said. “I loved my job, you know, I was satisfied. And I really thought that Sharon and I would probably go out together someday. So it was just an honor to be asked.”

The newly appointed treasurer will serve through December 2024. An election will take place next year for the “Unexpired Term of Stephens County Treasurer” on the March 2024 primary ballot.

The filing period for a spot on that ballot will be from Saturday, Nov. 11 through Monday, Dec. 11. Whoever is elected to serve the rest of the treasurer’s original term will serve until December 2026. From that point, the office will be back on the regular schedule of every four years.

The qualifications for the appointee are the same as those of a candidate. Candidates must be a resident of Texas for at least one year, resident of Stephens County for at least six months and must be a registered voter with an effective date of registration on the date of appointment.