By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
Walton Mayor Mark Carnahan has announced his resignation, which became effective March 1.
Carnahan (file photo)
In a “Mayor’s Moment” letter to constituents Carnahan said he chose to resign because the council has failed to create the position of city administrator.
“Since last fall when our attorney announced his unexpected retirement at the end of the year, I have been attempting to have the council see the need for and create the position of a city administrator…I also told my family that if the position was not created, I would resign from office.”
Carnahan had previously indicated he did not intend to seek reelection this year.
Carnahan was also embroiled in a controversy recently when city employees remove a tree stump at his home.
Prior to a February Council meeting, Carnahan was handed a letter, signed by five of the six Walton City Council members, asking that he reimburse the City for the cost of the stump removal, or resign.
Mayors Moment letter distributed to Walton residents (click to enlarge).
The letter indicated the use of city employees to perform work at his house was improper. Carnahan said at that time that he did nothing wrong, and would not resign, but offered to reimburse the city about $1,200 for the work.
Carnahan suggested in the Mayor’s Moment letter that recent controversy was a factor in his decision to resign.
“Also, there has been some controversy of late regarding the mayor, of which you may or may not be aware. This has been a major distraction for over two months now and that has played a part in my decision. The city simply does not need this kind of attention, as there is too much work to be done.”
Walton is located about 20 miles south of Cincinnati. It sits primarily in Boone County, but with a small number of its residents located in Kenton County.
Carnahan’s tenure in office ended as it began, surrounded by controversy.
He was appointed Mayor in 2013, following the resignation of then-Mayor Phil Trzop.
Trzop was Walton’s mayor from 2004 to 20010, and was reelected in November, 2012.
Just a few days after being elected, however, Trzop was charged with abuse of the public trust in relation to his position as General Manager of the Boone County Water District.
He resigned as mayor in May 2013.
Trzop pleaded guilty of selling $34,000 in scrap metal from the Water District and of keeping $12,000 of that money. He admitted he buried more than $5,000 of the money in his backyard and an audit uncovered the additional discrepancy.
Trzop was sentenced to 60 days in jail and 5 years probation in August 2013.
Carnahan was elected to Walton City Council in November, 2010. He was appointed to replace Trzop in July, 2013 and was elected mayor by the voters in November, 2014.
Reached by phone Monday night, Carnahan declined comment.
Walton also gained notoriety in 2012, when a candidate for city council ultimately lost a seat because his wife failed to vote. Robert “Bobby” McDonald finished in a tie with Olivia Ballou, after his wife, who was going to school and working at the time, did not get to the polls. McDonald told his wife not to worry about it because one vote wouldn’t matter.
It did.
Following the tie, a coin toss determined who would serve on council and McDonald lost the seat to Ballou.
Boone County Clerk Kenny Brown said, according to Kentucky Revised Statute, the Walton City Council has 30 days from the time of Carnahan’s resignation to appoint a new mayor. If the council does not appoint a new mayor in that time frame, Gov. Matt Bevin will appoint someone to fill out the term, which ends December 31.
Walton does not have a May primary, so no candidates have filed for the mayoral term that begins in January, 2019. Those seeking the office of Mayor of Walton must file by August 14, to be considered as a candidate in the November General Election.
The Walton City Council meets once monthly and has a meeting scheduled for tonight at 6:30 p.m. If the City Council does not appoint someone to replace Carnahan, a special meeting would have to be scheduled later this month to prevent an appointment by Gov. Bevin.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com
