Stephen Ellis, District Judge, 35th Judicial District of Texas announced today that on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, he accepted the resignation of Brown County Auditor Nina Cox, effective May 31, 2016.  She is on a paid administrative leave of absence until then.  Assistant Brown County Auditor Ms. Josie Contreras and Administrative Assistant Ms. Valerie Williams will remain in the office of the Brown County Auditor.

Ms. Cox was first appointed by Ellis as Brown County Auditor September 7, 2001 and she has been reappointed every two years since.  Ms. Cox previously served as Assistant Brown County Auditor under former Brown County Auditor Rex Bessent from 1998 until 2001.

Judge Ellis said, “The auditor’s job is an important one and the duties of the office must be carried out in a competent and effective manner.  The public expects and deserves sound financial management from county officials and employees.  The district judge has general supervisor authority over the commissioner’s court under Texas Law and the way that is primarily exercised is through the county auditor.”

Section 84.006 of the Texas Local Government Code provides that a county auditor must be:  1) a competent accountant with at least 2 years experience in auditing and accounting; 2) thoroughly competent in public business details; 3) a person of unquestionably good moral character and intelligence.

Ellis stated he will carefully investigate and consider a person’s qualifications before making the appointment of a new auditor.  “I intend to appoint someone who meets all of the qualifications and even though it is not required, I want to appoint someone who is also a Certified Public Accountant to fill this position, if at all possible,” said Ellis.

Ellis expects to announce shortly his selection of the person to serve as the new Brown County Auditor.  The new auditor will be appointed effective June 1, 2016 to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Cox, which ends December 31, 2016.  The term of office for a county auditor is 2 years.