DECATUR - At the end of August, Macon County Sheriff Jerry Dawson will say goodbye to his job, but he's not the only county official heading for greener pastures.

Several officials deciding to move on, combined with an early retirement incentive approved by the county last fall, led to many employees and department heads with decades of experience announcing this year that they would leave their jobs with the county.

In addition to the sheriff, former Presiding Judge John K. Greanias retired in July after more than 21 years on the bench, while Courts Administrator Don Meyer retired earlier this month. Another familiar face in the courthouse, former Public Defender Jon Baxter, retired in January, thanks to the county's early retirement incentive.

The circuit clerk's office also will see new leadership as 16-year Circuit Clerk Kathy Hott, whose term expires at the end of November, did not seek re-election. Democrat John Trusner and Republican Lois Durbin will face off in the election.

Earlier this year, Treasurer Steve Grimm also announced he would not seek re-election at the end of his term in 2010.

Dawson will bid farewell to the sheriff's office Aug. 31, 31 years after he joined.

Dawson said several things factored into his decision to retire, including a desire to spend more time with his family and a change in perspective after a close friend passed away last fall. The decision wasn't an easy one, he said.

"This is kind of like my second family," Dawson said of the sheriff's office.

Dawson does not plan to spend his retirement idle and will work part time as an instructor in the law enforcement program offered by the Decatur Area Technical Academy and Richland Community College.

Board Chairman Bob Sampson, D-Decatur, said he understood how someone could tire of the stress of holding the county's top law enforcement position, as it has only gotten more difficult in recent years because of the increased financial constraints and emphasis on the management side of the job.

But Sampson said he has full confidence that Chief Deputy Tom Schneider is up to the task of replacing Dawson. Schneider was approved by the Macon County Board earlier this month to fill the vacancy created by Dawson's retirement.

"You certainly hate to lose somebody of the caliber of Jerry Dawson, though one cannot begrudge him," Sampson said. "He's earned his retirement, and we have a fine young man who will be taking over in Tom Schneider."

Sampson said that while the multiple county retirements have forced some departments to adjust, he stressed transitions are only natural and "life goes on" for county business, no matter who is in charge.

In the case of Baxter's retirement, county officials timed a transition to a full-time public defender's office inside the courthouse to coincide with the promotion of Greg Mattingley as public defender. Also, new Presiding Judge Ted Paine assumed some of Meyer's administrative responsibilities after he retired.

"I think we are losing some people who have made tremendous contributions to Macon County, and we certainly owe them a deep debt of gratitude, but I don't think this is anything disruptive or somehow negative," Sampson said.

Auditor Amy Stockwell said the county is holding close to projections for the number of employees who would participate in the early retirement incentive, which remains available until Oct. 1 if employees are at least 50 years old and have 20 years of service with the county.

Stockwell plans to present a preliminary analysis of the program with specific figures at an upcoming finance committee meeting. The program is intended to save money in the long run but required sizable upfront contributions from the county.

Stockwell said there has been an adjustment period for the county work force, but the new leaders are eager.

"Obviously, the people who are leaving had tremendous experience, and there's a wealth of knowledge that's walking out the door. But, on the other hand, there's a whole new generation of managers who have new ideas," she said.

mtallon@herald-review.com|421-7984