Richland’s top administrator resigning

Richland County Administrator Tony McDonald will retire in June after more than 30 years working for the county, he told The State newspaper Wednesday.

McDonald, 55, was hired by County Council as administrator in December 2012 after serving as interim administrator for six months and as an assistant county administrator for about a decade prior. He began working for Richland County nearly 31 years ago as a research analyst in the administration department after completing a graduate degree at the University of South Carolina.

“Thirty years, you look back, that’s a long time,” McDonald said. “It’s been fun. It’s been challenging. It’s been interesting. There have been opportunities, and I’m grateful for everything that has happened along the way in my career. I feel very fortunate to have gotten to where I am.”

Last December, County Council members voted to renew his contract for one year, through December 2016. McDonald said he plans to remain in his role through the end of the county’s budget year, June 30.

McDonald succeeded Milton Pope, who stepped down in June 2012 after serving about five years as county administrator.

This story was originally published March 16, 2016 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Richland’s top administrator resigning."