According to the North Mississippi Herald’s Facebook page, following a lengthy city board meeting Tuesday night, the last item of business was a resignation letter from Mayor Larry Hart.

City Clerk Vivian Snider read the resignation letter as Mayor Hart was not at the meeting.

“Dear Mrs. Clerk, please accept this letter as my notice of retirement for position as mayor for the city of Water Valley effective Nov. 3, 2017. I will be available to your and the vice-mayor as needed during the transition. I plan to devote more time to my children, grandchildren and my businesses,” Hart wrote in the letter.

The meeting ended in a somber tone in respect for Hart, who has served Water Valley for decades.