Winn steps down from Athens City Council

Councilwoman Toni Garrard Clay and Councilman Tres Winn chat after Monday’s City Council meeting.

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

Athens City Councilman Tres Winn announced his resignation during the council’s meeting Monday night.

He said the resignation would be effective in two weeks, saying he would step down at the beginning of the next regular meeting.

Winn said he is leaving because he is building a house outside of the city that is scheduled to be ready by December 1. He said he is stepping down early because there are several important issues facing the council, such as hiring a new city manager, and he wanted his replacement to be involved from the start.

“I think it is only fair that the person making the decision is in on the process from the very, very beginning,” he said.

Winn is in his second term, which is up in May 2018. The council will have to appoint someone to fill his position until that time.