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A special election to fill the last two years of outgoing Sheriff Steve Funkhouser’s current term of office would be held to coincide with next year’s general elections on Nov. 4, if the Circuit Court approves a request from the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors.
On Monday the supervisors adopted a resolution to have county attorney John Dryden petition the court to order a special election to be held on Nov. 4, 2025. Because the sheriff serves both Lexington and the county, Lexington City Council is expected to adopt a similar resolution at a future meeting.
Funkhouser, who is one year into his second four-term term, notified both jurisdictions recently of his intention to retire Dec. 31. Tony McFadden, as Funkhouser’s chief deputy, is to serve as interim sheriff from Jan. 1 until the special election is held.
Dryden explained, at Monday’s meeting, the reasons for seeking to hold the special election next Nov. 4. Holding the special election on the same date as the general elections would save costs of approximately $40,000 to hold the special election on a separate date. Also, state code prohibits holding the special election on the same date as a primary election.
And, the Lexington registrar’s office is to move into a temporary location in the first half of next year because of planned renovations to City Hall. That planned relocation should be completed well before the Nov. 4 general elections.
