WASHINGTON CO. PLANNING TO APPOINT DISMUKES AS PCT. 3 COMMISSIONER IN SUMMER
Newly elected Washington County Precinct 3 Commissioner Chad Dismukes won’t have to wait until next January to take office.
(courtesy photo)
Dismukes defeated Gil Janner in the March Primary to serve out the remainder of Kirk Hanath’s Precinct 3 Commissioners’ term which runs through 2028. Hanath, who had to resign his position in order to run for County Judge, has been serving as a “placeholder” in the position until County Judge John Durrenberger appoints someone. Durrenberger had said he wanted the voters to make that choice, which they did in the March 3rd Primary. Hanath, along with other commissioners, have encouraged Durrenberger to appoint Dismukes. Now, it appears that appointment is getting closer.
Judge Durrenberger told KWHI News that Dismukes has work obligations as the Assistant Fire Chief of Operations for the Katy Fire/EMS Department that would preclude him from spending full time as a county commissioner until possibly late September. Durrenberger said it could be sooner, but he didn’t want to give an earlier date and not be able to follow through on it. Dismukes told KWHI that his Chief retired recently, and an Interim Fire Chief has been appointed as Katy searches for a replacement. He said it would be very difficult for him, the second person in charge of the department, to leave right now. Dismukes said the end of July would probably be the soonest he could take over the full-time Washington County Commissioner Precinct 3 duties.
The county released a statement this (Tuesday) morning with additional background and comments from Durrenberger and Dismukes. In the statement, Dismukes announced his intent to accelerate his retirement from the fire service in order to take on the commissioner’s role earlier than first anticipated. He said, “Serving in the fire service has been one of the greatest honors of my life. While I am excited to join the team in Washington County, I need to complete prior commitments in my current position before retirement.”