Farragut board picks nomination-and-vote procedure for replacing late Alderman; resident urges safeguards

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Sept. 11 approved a nomination-and-sequential-vote procedure to fill the vacant South Ward alderman seat left by the late Alderman David White. The board selected what staff labeled "Option 1," a process in which applicants will speak for three minutes (in alphabetical order), the board will open nominations, and nominees will be voted on sequentially until one receives a majority. Town Administrator David Smoak and Town Attorney Tom Hale presented two options for the Sept. 25 selection meeting; both give the mayor a second vote to break any tie, a requirement the town attorney said is set by the town charter provisions the town adopted. Tom Hale explained the mechanics, saying the mayor—s tie-breaking vote is required by the charter language the town follows. Longtime resident Kimberly Parks told the board she respects Alderman White but urged stronger safeguards and called on the board to avoid a process that could be perceived as the mayor selecting the replacement via a tie-break vote. "The perception alone undermines public trust," Parks said, urging a process that "strengthens trust in this board instead of weakening it." Board members discussed nomination order and whether to randomize vote order to avoid any appearance of gaming the sequence; members also said they might meet with candidates individually (noting sunshine-law constraints) before the Sept. 25 meeting. The board voted 4-0 to adopt Option 1 at this meeting (Alderman Burnette, Alderman Kane, Vice Mayor Meyer and Mayor Ron Williams: all yes). Staff said applicants had until the previous day to apply and that the board will conduct the appointment at the Sept. 25 meeting.