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Council discusses options to fill Southwest District vacancy; no appointment made
Summary
Council discussed three options to fill the Southwest District seat vacated by Councilman Rhinebold and took no action. Staff outlined appointing an unopposed candidate, appointing the election winner after the June 3 election canvass, or waiting until July 1 when the elected candidate’s term begins.
The Aberdeen City Council discussed options on March 17 for filling a vacancy in the Southwest District but took no action.
Staff told the council the city charter provision (section 2.06(c)) requires filling vacancies before the person elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired term takes office, but the timing of the upcoming election makes immediate appointment impractical in this case. City staff outlined three options: appoint an unopposed candidate if one remains after the March 25 nominating-petition deadline; appoint the winner after the June 3 election and the subsequent canvass (around June 5–6); or wait until the winner takes office on July 1.
City staff said the practical difference between appointing the election winner immediately after canvass and waiting until the new official takes office would be roughly two council meetings. Staff recommended waiting to see if the Southwest race becomes unopposed after the March 25 petition deadline and bringing a formal handbook-based vacancy-fill procedure forward if needed.
No motion was made and no appointment occurred. Councilors indicated they would revisit the matter at the April meeting or after the petition deadline if the situation changes.
Context and next steps The nominating-petition deadline is March 25; the special or primary election to fill the seat is scheduled for June 3, with canvassing shortly thereafter. Staff noted an internal handbook procedure for filling vacancies exists and that the city could validate the winner by canvass or appoint an unopposed candidate if that circumstance arises.
Speakers at the discussion included city legal/staff counsel who summarized charter requirements and the mayor who solicited council input. Council members did not vote on this item at the March 17 meeting.
