Councilman Rusty Smith has withdrawn his name for consideration to be the next Florence County administrator.
On Thursday, the selection search committee for the administrator hired Thomas Robinson of Rockingham, NC.
Council members told NewsChannel 15 Smith felt it was in the best interest of the council and the community that his name be withdrawn.
Last week, Florence County Treasurer Dean Fowler, Jr. and Coroner Bubba Matthews filed a lawsuit to stop Smith from being named to the position and to clarify if Smith was eligible.
Last month, the State Attorney General issued the opinion that at a minimum, Smith should remove himself from any influence over the process of selecting the new administrator. Ethics law does not require him to resign before being appointed, if he were to have gotten the job.
