There will be no third term in office for Douglas County Commissioner Jere McElhaney.

“I think it’s probably about time for me to step back and take care of a few personal things right now,” McElhaney said before the start of the April 4 Commission meeting.

McElhaney’s position won’t come up for election until 2008, but he said he decided to announce his decision now.

“It’s right after the city elections, and that is still on people’s minds,” he said. “I think this will lead to some good candidates stepping forward.”

McElhaney, who was first elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004, said he has enjoyed working with the county departments and fellow Commissioners Bob Johnson and Charles Jones.