State revenue commissioner to retire at the end of April

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – There will soon be a change in leadership in one state department.

Governor Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that Alabama Department of Revenue Commissioner Vernon Barnett will retire from state service at the end of the month.

“It has been the honor and the pleasure of a lifetime to have served the people of Alabama in the Ivey Administration these past nine years as Commissioner of Revenue. I want to thank Governor Ivey for placing her confidence in me and for her unwavering support and guidance,” said Commissioner Barnett. “I have learned so much from her and treasure the time I have spent in her Cabinet. I am deeply blessed to have served with so many remarkable colleagues during this time. To each of them who have so enriched my life I say thank you. I leave confident that our state and our Department of Revenue are in good hands, and the best is yet to come.”

Barnett has been with the Ivey administration since 2017.

The governor has selected Mary Martin Mitchell to assume the position. Mitchell is currently a senior attorney within the department.

“I am honored to be appointed Commissioner and grateful to Governor Ivey for her trust placed in me to lead the Alabama Department of Revenue,” said Mitchell. “It is a privilege to serve Alabama taxpayers, and I am committed to providing clear guidance and consistent application of the tax laws to support the state’s continued growth. I look forward to building on the positive momentum of the past nine years with integrity and transparency.”

Mitchell will take over the role on May 1.