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Smithfield council approves timeline to fill District 1 vacancy; appointment set for Aug. 19
Summary
The Town of Smithfield Council approved a calendar and process for filling the vacant District 1 seat, setting application opening, submission rules, candidate appearances and a scheduled appointment at the Aug. 19 council meeting.
The Town of Smithfield Council voted to approve a process and timeline for filling the vacant District 1 council seat, with applications to open at 8 a.m. the day after the meeting and a target appointment date of Aug. 19.
Council approved a schedule presented by town staff that opens the application period at 8 a.m. the day after the meeting and closes at 5 p.m. on Aug. 1. The council will announce candidates at its Aug. 5 meeting and — if more than one viable applicant applies — hold a meet-and-greet and candidate interviews before making an appointment at the Aug. 19 meeting. Under the town charter, the mayor would break any tie vote among council members.
Planning director Steven (staff presentation) outlined the process and related rules: applicants must be District 1 residents and at least 21 years old, the council may appoint immediately if only one viable applicant applies, and candidates will be given five minutes to address the council followed by one question per council member if the full interview process is required. Staff said applications may be mailed, dropped off, emailed or scanned; the application form approved June 17 will be used.
Mayor Andy Moore and other council members emphasized transparency and community engagement. Councilman Scott suggested the appointment be made at the Aug. 19 meeting to avoid confusion; the council approved that approach. The motion to approve the overall process, including the appointment on Aug. 19, was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.
The council directed staff to post the application and process details on the town website and social media and to accept inquiries through the town manager and the town clerk, Elaine Andrews. Selected applicants will be sworn in by the clerk and may assume the District 1 seat immediately; the appointee would hold the seat until the November election and the subsequent swearing-in at the December meeting if a newly elected candidate prevails.
The council’s action sets a clear public timeline and preserves council discretion in nominee selection while explicitly noting the charter’s tie-breaking authority for the mayor.
