Lemoore Mayor Pro Tem Chad Billingsley announced he would be resigning his post, effective the city’s July 16 council meeting.
In a Facebook post late Tuesday night, Billingsley said he received an offer for a new position based in Colorado, forcing his family to relocate.
“As difficult as the decision was to leave Lemoore, where I have lived all my life, I believe it is in the best interest of my family and personal development,” Billingsley said in the announcement.
Currently, Billingsley works as a safety supervisor for Leprino Foods, a dairy products firm. The company is based out of Denver, Colo.
Billingsley was elected in 2018 after defeating Kings County staffer Tony Garcia. His predecessor, Jeff Chedester, opted against a re-election bid in 2018.
The freshman Council member butted heads with controversial colleague Holly Andrade Blair.
After the Lemoore’s City Council initiated a lawsuit to limit Blair’s perceived misconduct directed at staff and police, Billingsley was the sole member of the City Council to vote against a settlement ending the lawsuit.
Blair was recently arrested on multiple felony counts related to a dangerous high-speed chase. Her attorney has indicated she may not be able to continue service, given the City Council’s bylaws mandating attendance at meetings.
Billingsley and Blair exiting the Council would leave Lemoore with three legislators – Mayor Eddie Neal and Council members Dave Brown and Stuart Lyons.
This story will be updated.
