Johns retiring as Todd County Attorney Sep. 30, Mark Collins to fill term

Monday will mark the first time since January of 1990 that Harold “Mac” Johns will wake up and not be the Todd County Attorney.

Johns announced during Friday morning’s Fiscal Court meeting that he’s retiring at the end of this month.

Johns thanked magistrates, Judge-Executive Todd Mansfield and other public officials for their service and says he’s counseled the county to the best of his ability during those 28 years.

He also praised his staff for their service to the community that often goes unnoticed.

Johns says he’ll pursue other endeavors as a private attorney, including serving as general counsel for the Public Safety Institute of Kentucky.

Johns did not seek reelection this year and Jeff Traughber defeated Assistant County Attorney Mark Collins in May to become county attorney-elect.

For the next three months, however, Collins will succeed Johns after being appointed to the position by Judge Mansfield.

Collins will continue to have the contract to collect child support in Todd County after an agreement was recently made between him and Traughber.

Meanwhile, Todd County Clerk Cindy O’Bryan says final approval has been obtained to move the Trenton voting precinct location to the new fire department building.

And in other news from the meeting, Johns says he recently received a complaint of a chicken house being constructed in north Todd County in violation of a county ordinance. There are restrictions on how close to another residence or property line one can construct a poultry or hog house and Johns says contact the courthouse to be sure you are in compliance before going forward with such endeavors.

Emergency Management Director Daniel Smith says the county will be testing tornado sirens next Friday as part of the fall severe weather awareness week.