Jim Henderson, who has served as Simpson County’s judge-executive since 1998, plans to step down at the end of the year.

On Dec. 31 or Jan. 1, Henderson will leave his current job so he can serve as deputy director of the Kentucky Association of Counties, a group dedicated to providing programs and services to Kentucky counties and advocating legislative solutions for them, Henderson said.

“It’s just a really great opportunity to continue doing the kind of things I do as judge in a broader way,” he said.

Henderson has direct experience with KACo, having served as the group’s president in 2016, he said.

Henderson said that when he steps down, he’ll submit a notice to the governor’s office. From there, Gov. Matt Bevin will have 30 days to appoint someone to fill the rest of Henderson’s term, which ends in 2018.

“I love my community and I wasn’t necessarily eager to leave that job,” he said. “I think there’s a time for everything, and I think the time is right.”

When he learned that KACo Executive Director Brian Roy wanted him as deputy director, making a decision on whether to accept the job was difficult, Henderson said.

“It is a sacrifice, but it’s one my family and I have discussed and are prepared for,” he said.

Roy, who became KACo executive director in July, said he selected Henderson based on his experience with the judge-executive.

“I’ve personally been very impressed with his ability to get things done,” Roy said.

For several years, Henderson has been on KACo’s executive council, which meets monthly and makes decisions about KACo policy and expenditures in excess of $20,000, Roy said.

Henderson has proven knowledgeable about tax policy and issues relating to retirement, Roy said. “I also think he has a great ability to go out there and serve other counties,” Roy said.

As deputy director, Henderson will advocate for issues on behalf of county governments and oversee KACo’s day-to-day affairs, Roy said.

Simpson County North District Magistrate Bobby Bush said Henderson announced his intent to step down and become KACo deputy director at Tuesday’s Simpson Fiscal Court meeting.

The announcement came as a surprise to Bush, who would have expected Henderson to serve the rest of his term.

“I hate that he’s leaving, but I understand why,” he said. “For him personally, if he wants to do that, I’m 100 percent for it.”

Bush said he anticipates Henderson working hard in his new position. “I’ve enjoyed working with him,” he said. “I think Franklin is going to lose something whenever he leaves.”

– Follow reporter Jackson French on Twitter @Jackson_French or visit bgdailynews.com.