Collum Appointed Kerr County Clerk by Commissioners’ Court

Meeting in special session on Nov. 6, the Kerr County Commissioners’ Court unanimously appointed Ian Collum as the new Kerr County Clerk.

He will serve out the unexpired term vacated by former clerk, Jackie Dowdy, whose resignation was formally accepted by the court on Oct. 6. Dowdy most recently had been seated to that position when she ran unopposed in the March 1, 2022, primary election.

Collum, who has been with Kerr County since September 2021 as a deputy county clerk first and then, since April 2023, as its chief deputy county clerk and who stepped up to serve as the interim county clerk in the wake of Dowdy’s departure, will serve out the approximate 14 months remaining of her term. He has announced his intention to file as a candidate for county clerk in the 2024 Primary Election and, if elected, will be sworn in in January 2025 to serve the balance of Dowdy’s two years, so that the office stays on its original election schedule.

“I enthusiastically endorse the appointment of Ian Collum,” said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly prior to Monday’s vote. “He’s done a marvelous job under very tough circumstances.”

Commissioner (Pct. 2) Rich Paces commented that, while he normally does not believe in appointing someone who will run for election at the end of the appointment, in the interest of continuity, because Collum has done a great job and because already has the full support of the county clerk’s office staff, he felt an exception was appropriate.

Making the motion to appoint Collum was Kerr County Commissioner (Pct. 3) Jonathan Letz, who was seconded by Commissioner (Pct. 4) Don Harris. The appointment carried with a 5-0 vote.

Ian Collum holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology from Mississippi State University, having graduated in August 2021. Prior to that, he studied at Tarleton University from 2014-2018.

The Kerr County Clerk’s Office may be reached by phone at 830-792-2255 or by visiting Room 122 on the main floor of the Kerr County Courthouse, 700 Main Street in Kerrville. Collum’s email is icollum@co.kerr.tx.us.