By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

Ken Lee, who has served as mayor of Rincon for 19 years, has resigned his post citing family issues, effective immediately.

“My greatest obligation is to my faith and my family. At this time, my first and greatest priority is my family who needs my complete and undivided attention,” Lee wrote in his resignation letter.

“We have been fortunate to have stable leadership for the last two decades and we truly wish him all the best,” said City Manager Jonathan Lynn.

Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Exley will serve as acting mayor until November at which time he plans to run for mayor. Exley explained the city will request from the state that a special election for mayor be held in conjunction with the General Election Nov. 5. Lee’s term is up in January 2026.

“If I win the mayor’s seat this November, the council will appoint someone to finish my term,” Exley said. Exley won a special election last September to finish former Councilmember Damon Rahn’s term. Rahn resigned in June 2023. Exley’s city council term also ends in December 2025.

“If I don’t win the mayor’s seat in November, I will still be on council as mayor pro tem; but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to run to serve just one year,” Exley said.

Exley added the council will also have to vote on a presiding officer to run council meetings if Exley is not able to attend.

The Rincon City Council met in a special called meeting March 18. Two items were on the agenda. The council voted to move the next meeting from March 25 to March 26; and Councilmember Mona Underwood was approved as the presiding officer.