High Point Mayor Resigns Her Post, Pleads Guilty To Felony Charge

The mayor of High Point has resigned. Bernita Sims's resignation from the post is effective immediately.

City officials say Mayor Bernita Sims submitted her resignation around 11 a.m. Wednesday.

She pleaded guilty to a felony charge in Guilford County Superior Court that same day, in connection with writing a worthless check.  ​​Judge Richard Stone sentenced her to six months house arrest and 4 ½ years of supervised probation. ​

Last year, four High Point City Council members called on Sims to resign, arguing that her personal financial problems have eroded public confidence in her leadership. But Sims declined.

​The resignation ends her first term as mayor three months early. Sims declined to seek another term earlier this summer. She was elected the city's first black mayor in 2012. Prior to serving as mayor, Sims spent nearly 10 years as a City Council member.

High Point officials say Mayor Pro Tem Jim Davis will assume the duties of mayor for now.  Voters will go to the polls Nov. 4 to select a new mayor for the city.