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Temple accepts resignation of Council member Susan Long; council sets appointment timeline
Summary
The Temple City Council accepted the resignation of District 3 Council member Susan Long on May 13 and directed staff to post the vacancy and begin an expedited appointment process, with applications opening May 14 and due May 28 and council review and interviews scheduled for late May and early June.
The Temple City Council on May 13 unanimously accepted the resignation of District 3 Council member Susan Long and outlined a schedule to fill the vacancy by appointment.
Mayor read two letters from Susan Long explaining her decision to resign: in one excerpt Long wrote that "my life has changed irrevocably due to my husband's serious illness, repeat hospitalizations, and surgeries," and in another she said that because of her husband's ongoing needs and her own injury she "will not be available for the time required for some of the council activities." The mayor read both letters during the public portion of the meeting.
The council motion to accept the resignation was made by Mayor Pro Tem Walker and seconded by Council member Mike Pilkington; the vote was 4-0 in favor. Council members then discussed the process for filling the vacancy. A City staff member told the council that "according to your charter, if there's less than a year remaining in a term, it then the council does have the authority to make that appointment," and described the staff-recommended timeline and procedures.
Staff said the city will post the vacancy and begin accepting applications starting May 14. The staff presentation clarified the timeline as follows: completed, notarized applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28; council will review applications in a special called workshop on Thursday, May 29; interviews are expected to take place in early June (June 2–4 are proposed dates); and the council may place an appointment item on its regular June 5 agenda if it is prepared to act. Staff also said the council may delay the appointment to June 26 or July 3 if it is not ready to appoint on June 5.
Why this matters: the appointment will fill a District 3 seat on a council that handles zoning, public works, budgeting and other matters that affect city residents. Susan Long had served on the council since 2017, and council members and staff praised her community service during the meeting.
Council directed staff to issue a press release, publish application materials and manage scheduling for candidate interviews. The council then recessed to executive session to begin work on finding a replacement.
