CHOCOWINITY — Beaufort County Commissioner Ron Buzzeo announced Tuesday he will not seek reelection in 2018. The announcement came ahead of Wednesday’s noon deadline for candidates to file for elected office.

“During my term as your county commissioner, more professionalism and transparency has been brought to the board,” Buzzeo said in a release on his Facebook page. “EMS paramedic service has been expanded throughout the county, with Vidant Hospital System providing approximately $700,000.”

Since 2014, Buzzeo served on the EMS oversight committee, Green Lamp Board of Directors, and was on the committee for rewriting the county’s solar energy facilities ordinance.

Buzzeo was also at the forefront of reviewing legislation regarding solar farms in the county. The Board of Commissioners put a moratorium on solar farm building last year in response to public concern about the construction of a 600-acre, 74-megawatt solar facility on Terra Ceia Road.

“I’ve tried to be a good servant to the people of Beaufort County who is committed to improving the lives of Beaufort County residents and promoting our county,” Buzzeo wrote. “However, it is now time to reevaluate my commitment to my wife, children and grandchildren.”

Three seats on the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners are available in this election cycle. Democrats Randy Walker and incumbent Ed Booth had filed as board candidates, as of Monday. Republicans Tandy Dunn, former commissioner Stan Deatherage and incumbent, and current chairman of the Board, Frankie Waters had also filed.

The terms for the other four seats expire in 2020.