MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney announced Tuesday that he will retire at the end of September, leaving office before completing his current term.
Carney announced his decision near the end of the Mooresville Board of Commissioners meeting Sept. 8. His final day as mayor is expected to be Sept. 30, with Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Dingler expected to transition into the mayor’s role beginning Oct. 1.
Carney described his departure as a retirement and said leaving office had been part of a long-term plan with his wife. He said he had accomplished the goals he set when he became mayor and wants to spend more time traveling with his family.
Carney also said he does not plan to seek another elected office.
The announcement follows months of controversy and calls for Carney to step down. In April, the Board of Commissioners voted 4-2 to approve a resolution expressing no confidence in Carney and requesting his resignation.
Much of the controversy centered on an October 2024 incident at Mooresville Town Hall. Carney was inside the building after midnight with a woman when motion detectors were activated and police responded. Court filings and subsequent reporting said surveillance footage showed Carney without pants for a period of time.
Carney previously said he became ill after mixing alcohol with medication. He has maintained there was no inappropriate conduct between him and the woman and described her as a longtime family friend.
The surveillance footage later became the subject of a public records lawsuit after the town declined to release it. A judge ordered the footage released, but the town appealed the ruling.
Carney has maintained his decision to leave office was not connected to the controversy or pressure from critics. He previously told commissioners that he had not planned to complete his current term and wanted to spend more time with his family.
Dingler currently represents Ward 1 on the Board of Commissioners and serves as mayor pro tem.
