WATKINSVILLE — Oconee County Commission Chairman Melvin Davis will retire at the end of his term after 16 years of service on the board.

“It’s been a great opportunity, [but] at some point in time you feel like you need to spend a little bit of time with yourself and with your family,” said Davis, who has lived in the county for more than 50 years.

Davis said he and his wife made the decision together to enjoy time retired while in good health.

Throughout his time serving on the board, Davis said the retail development on Epps Bridge Parkway has been the most visible, dramatic change he’s seen. Transportation initiatives and water capacity expansion are other improvements he’s proud to have helped put into action.

“I don’t think anybody gets things done alone,” he said. “It takes everybody working together to accomplish anything.”

Future leaders, Davis said, will be tasked with listening to the needs of the 35,000 citizens, concentrating population and commercial growth near roads ands water resources and maintaining the quality of housing.

Davis said he will await expressions of interest in mid-March.