Bellevue Councilmember Stokes announces resignation; council to consider appointing from recent finalist pool

Longtime Bellevue Councilmember Stokes announced his resignation on April 1, saying he will step down effective May 2 to move to live near family. Councilmembers praised Stokes’s years of service and discussed procedures to fill the vacancy.

Stokes, who noted earlier public service on schools and parks boards and 14 years on the council, said family reasons prompted the resignation. Mayor Robinson and colleagues thanked him and said the council will work to fill the vacancy.

Clerk’s options and council direction: The city clerk briefed council on two options: appoint a replacement from the pool of finalists from the recent recruitment to fill the seat until the November election, or open a new recruitment. Several councilmembers favored selecting from the four remaining finalists interviewed during the prior recruitment to speed the process and give the appointee time to prepare for the November filing period. The clerk presented a schedule that would allow council to meet in executive session on April 15, interview finalists and potentially appoint a candidate with an effective date in early May so the new member could participate beginning May 6.

The council gave direction to place an executive session on the April 15 agenda to consider the pool of recent finalists; councilmembers said they preferred moving quickly so the appointed member has time to file for the November election if they choose to run. The clerk noted the statutory filing week for the November election will be May 5–9, and an appointee would need to file during that period to appear on the ballot.

Stokes said he plans to remain engaged in community activities after his departure.