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MEMPHIS, MO. -- A heated debate about a health ordinance regulating concentrated animal feeding operations leads to the resignation of a longtime county commissioner.

Scotland County Presiding Commissioner Mike Stephenson is calling it quits.

At a special meeting on August 10th, the commissioners passed the new health ordinance that they wrote. During the August 4th election, Scotland County voters indicated they wanted a health ordinance in place.

A previous such ordinance had been repealed, because commissioners said they didn't have the resources to enforce it.

During the August 10th meeting is when Stephenson dropped the bombshell that he's resigning more than a year before his term is up.

The announcement came less than a week after Stephenson and Scotland County resident Garth Lloyd had a big blowup about the ordinance.

"There were a couple of the concerned citizens people in, and it got pretty heated. Words were said that weren't nice," said Scotland County Clerk Betty Lodewegen.

Lodewegen told KTVO there should be no problem finding Stephenson's replacement.

"There's been several names out there already that have indicated that they're interested in it, and they've contacted the (political) parties," said Lodewegen.

Mike Stephenson has been a Scotland County commissioner for 23 years.

Stephenson's resignation doesn't officially go into effect until September 30.

In the meantime, he's using his accumulated leave time until then, and he will not be back in the office.

Lodewegen said Scotland County's Republican and Democratic parties will submit applications to the governor's office with their recommendation about who the best person to fill Stephenson's position is.

Individuals can also apply to the governor's office. Those applications are available at the Scotland County Clerk's Office.

The governor will appoint an interim presiding commissioner who will serve the remainder of Stephenson's term, which expires December 31, 2010.

KTVO was unable to contact Stephenson for comment.