Gov. Matt Bevin announced Friday his appointment to replace a vacant magistrate seat on the Clark County Fiscal Court.

Bevin appointed Greg Elkins, of Woodford Drive, to the Fourth District seat on the Court.

Elkins, a resident of Clark County for the last 12 years, replaces Matt Brinegar, who was one of five first time magistrates elected to the court in 2014.

Brinegar issued his resignation in November because of a conflict with the state retirement program after he retired from Winchester Fire-EMS the same week.

Elkins said he interviewed with the Executive Committee of the Republican Party earlier this month. The committee sent the nomination to Bevin for appointment.

Elkins is chief operating officer for Waste Services of the Bluegrass. He is a member of Heritage Baptist Church and is president of the Clark County Fish and Game Club, where he has served on the board for six years. Elkins is also an avid barbecuer and won the Holy Smokes BBQ contest at the Winchester-Clark County Farmers’ Market this year.

Although he has never run for public office before, Elkins said he has always been interested in politics and public service.

“I was honored and thankful to be able to pursue this office when it became available,” he said. “I’m excited about the appointment. I know I have a lot to learn, but I never back down from a challenge. I look forward to the challenge of being a magistrate.”

Elkins said his first priority in office will be to act as a good steward of the taxpayers’ money.

“My No. 1 priority will be a balanced and workable budget,” he said. “I’ve got about 15 years experience developing budgets and making payroll. Living by budgets is probably the most important part of being a chief operating officer.”

Elkins said he also brings a business mentality and conservative values, especially fiscally, to the court.

“I look forward to working with the other magistrates and (Judge-Executive Henry Branham,” he said.

Elkins will need to be sworn in before he can officially serve on the court.

He will serve until the position is filled with the results of the November 2018 midterm election.