Fayette County Coroner Bruce Bowen has announced his nearly 17 years in office will come to an end in December, as he will be retiring.

In a press release Tuesday, Bowen said he plans to retire with his last day in office being December 31, 2017. He’s been Fayette County Coroner since 2000 and was reelected to a new term last year.

According to the press release, Bowen recommends a person be appointed immediately as they will have a “mountain to climb and two months to accomplish it.” He says he will stick around to train that person.

Bowen says he decided to leave office after his 2018 budget was prepared by an outside company with no input from him, while all other department heads were allowed input on their budgets.

He says he was unaware his budget was prepared by an outside source until it was on public display and that he only received a copy after requesting one.

Bowen says he considers the maneuver to be disrespectful to him and that it would be impossible for him to operate the office within the provided budget that he predicts will be a failure.

He notes he has been fiscally responsible during his time in office, but after Board member Wilhour told him more than once the he could be easily replaced, he decided to move aside and let that happen.

Bowen ended his press release by saying he has no hard feelings for anyone, just disappointment.