UPDATE: Maketa to retire before the end of his term

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa is planning to leave the sheriff’s office before the end of his term.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office confirms that Maketa has filed retirement paperwork. Maketa’s last day will be Dec. 31. His term was set to end next month.

Bill Elder will be the next sheriff of El Paso County.

Elder’s undersheriff, Joe Breister, said the new team has been expecting this announcement for a while.

“We’re not surprised, we are not scrambling, we have been set or ready to transition as early as July of this year,” said Breister.

Elder reiterated that his team is prepared in a phone interview with KRDO NewsChannel 13.

The relationship between El Paso County Commissioners and Maketa has been tense. County Commissioner Dennis Hisey said he is looking forward to a new start.

“None of the old baggage comes with Bill. Bill has assured us there is going to be communication in both directions, a lot of transparency,” said Hisey.

Elder will be sworn in as interim sheriff on Dec. 31 and will take control of the Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 1. He will take the oath of office as elected sheriff on January 13.

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Greg White confirmed the decision has to do with retirement pay. If Maketa leaves office Dec. 31, he will receive his first retirement paycheck on Feb. 1. If he leaves in January, his first paycheck will come March 1.

Last week, Elder announced that he is planning big changes at the Sheriff’s Office in the wake of a scandal involving Maketa and three Sheriff’s Office employees.

Maketa released a letter to the public. In the letter he said it was an honor and privilege to serve them in his 12 year term.