Marietta City Councilman Ben Rutherford discusses a potential timeline for the Injection Well Task Force Committee during an emergency council meeting in September. (File photo)

Marietta City Councilman Ben Rutherford has submitted his resignation, effective Feb. 9, citing a new professional role and the time demands of city service.

In a resignation letter addressed to council members, Rutherford said he recently accepted a position as head of school at Veritas Classical Academy, which is in the process of becoming a charter school. He said the role aligns with his family’s priorities, noting that his daughter attends the academy and his wife serves on its board.

“This position enables me to dedicate more time to supporting my daughter’s high school journey and collaborating with my wife during her board tenure,” Rutherford wrote.

Rutherford also pointed to the workload associated with serving on council, writing that the city’s longstanding challenges require a “significant time commitment — often exceeding 20 to 30 hours per week,” which he said he could not sustain alongside his new responsibilities.

Rutherford was most recently reelected to Marietta City Council in the 2025 general election, running unopposed for an at-large seat.

Council President Susan Vessels said Rutherford’s resignation will not be filled by a vote of council or a citywide election.

“The responsibility for filling the vacancy will fall to the Washington County Republican Central Committee,” Vessels said, explaining that because the seat is not a countywide office, only the central committee members who represent Marietta will vote on a replacement.

Council will continue to meet regularly, with the next regular meeting on Feb. 5.

Vessels said the city has followed a similar procedure in the past, including when Jon Grimm was appointed in 2024 to replace former Councilwoman Cassidy Shoaf, who resigned partway through her term.

Vessels said she has already been contacted by at least one individual interested in the position. She identified Jade Thompson as having expressed interest and said she provided Thompson with background information on council operations.

In his letter, Rutherford thanked fellow council members for their service and encouraged them to continue addressing the city’s fiscal and infrastructure needs.

“I remain hopeful that the Council will continue to make the difficult decisions necessary to secure funding for essential capital improvements,” he wrote. “It has been an honor to serve alongside you.”

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com