Sevier County, TN (WOKI) The longest-serving county mayor in East Tennessee decides not to seek reelection in 2026.

Making the announcement Friday, Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said serving as the county’s mayor has “truly been the honor of a lifetime” and that he is “grateful for the trust the people of Sevier County have placed in [him].”

“Serving as Sevier County Mayor has truly been the honor of a lifetime,” said Mayor Waters. “I am proud of what we have built together, grateful for the trust the people of Sevier County have placed in me, and I’m committed to finishing my final year in office with the same dedication and focus as ever. There is still important work to be done before my term ends in 2026, and I remain determined to see it through.”

The announcement marks the end of Waters 48-year career as the head of Sevier County; he first took the job when it was called county executive in 1978 at just 25 years old. Since then, Waters has overseen Sevier County’s rapid growth, including that of a booming tourism industry.

Additionally, during Waters’ tenure, Sevier County’s population has more than tripled, and its budget has grown by almost 20 times.