Mississippi Tax Commission chairman Joe Blount will retire at the end of the year.

Blount was appointed to a six-year term in 2004. Gov. Haley Barbour will appoint a successor to finish Blount’s term, which ends June 30, 2010.

In a statement to his employees, Blount said he wanted to spend more time with his family.

Blount was a private attorney before chairing the Tax Commission. He also served in the Mississippi House for eight years.