Just hours ahead of an opinion expected June 2 from the city Office of General Counsel concerning Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams moving out of Duval County to Nassau County, Williams announced his retirement.
In a letter addressed “To the Citizens of Jacksonville,” Williams writes that after some consideration, he decided that a court battle over his residency would not be good for the community.
“That being said, I have decided to retire on June 10th. I look forward to working with senior staff over the next week to ensure a smooth transition,” Williams wrote.
Under the city’s consolidated government charter, “If the sheriff should die, resign, or remove his residence from Duval County during his term of office, or be removed from office, the office of sheriff shall become vacant.”
City Council President Sam Newby, who gave the city’s general counsel office until 2 p.m. June 2 for a legal opinion on the issue, told News4Jax.com that he withdrew his request for the opinion after Williams announced his retirement because it resolves the issue for now.
Duval County property and court records show Michael S. and Jodi Williams sold their Jacksonville home at 2976 Marsh Elder Drive S. on March 4, 2021, for $397,000. They bought it in 2002 for $228,310.
The March 2021 deed lists a Fernandina Beach address for the Williamses. That is Nassau County.
The Tributary reported that Williams is renting a home there.
Williams has said state law, which does not require a sheriff to live in a county where they serve, would overrule the city charter.
Williams joined JSO in 1991 as a patrol officer. A Republican, he was elected sheriff in 2015 and re-elected in 2019.
With Williams limited to two consecutive terms in office, six candidates have filed for the ballot in the March 2023 election for sheriff: Democrats Lakesha Burton, Wayne Clark, Tony Cummings and Ken Jefferson; and Republicans Mathew Nemeth and Thomas “TK” Waters.
