Island County Planning Director Jeff Tate resigned Wednesday at a staff session for the Island County Board of Commissioners.

Tate will step down, effective March 2. He said the decision was not political, and unrelated to the shift of control on the board of county commissioners to Democrats from Republicans in November.

“I know there is going to be some speculation because there has been a change in the board of commissioners,” Tate said.

“I don’t want to leave the county. I enjoy working there,” he said.

Tate took over as planning director in September 2007 after then-director Phil Bakke was appointed to the board of commissioners.

“It has everything to do with some personal circumstances in my life,” he said. “Right now my parents are both in poor physical condition. I’ve had a family conversation with them and with my brother. We’ve come up with a plan for caring for my parents and it involves family care, not just institutional care.

“I can’t participate in that plan if I’m working in Coupeville and living in Everett,” Tate said.

Tate said he did not have another job lined up, but may work as a consultant if that work can fit into his family care plan.