Richmond County Tax Commissioner Jerry Saul said Thursday he will retire May 1, eight months before his term expires.

Mr. Saul has notified Gov. Sonny Perdue of his intentions to leave the office he has occupied for the past 31 years and has appointed Deputy Ex Officio Sheriff Fred Stallings as the chief deputy tax commissioner.

On May 1, Mr. Stallings will be sworn in as interim tax commissioner to serve out the rest of Mr. Saul's term.

Mr. Saul has had health problems and said he wants to spend more time with his family.

"And I feel confident people doing the management work in our office will continue to do very well," he said.

So far, four people have announced intentions to run for tax commissioner this fall. They are former Augusta Commissioner Tommy Boyles; businessman Steven Kendrick; Certified Public Accountant Sanford Loyd; and former Augusta Housing and Economic Development Department Director Keven Mack.