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Council to consider charter amendment allowing temporary appointment to fill vacancies
Summary
Councilors authorized discussion of a charter change request: staff reported that an outside attorney can draft a resolution asking the relevant authority to amend the municipal charter to permit appointments to fill vacancies until the next election; staff will add the item to the next agenda for a Monday vote.
City of Nelson — Councilors discussed a proposed charter amendment at the Feb. 20 work session that would allow the municipality to appoint a person to fill a council vacancy until the next regular election rather than holding a special election in every instance.
Kelsey (first name only in the transcript) asked whether the charter could be amended to permit appointments to fill vacancies caused by death or a move. Staff said they reached out to a person named Greg Jasper and his attorney; staff reported receiving an email indicating the attorney will prepare the language for a resolution and file the necessary notice to begin the charter amendment process.
Why it matters: If adopted, the charter change would create a mechanism for temporarily filling vacant seats without requiring an immediate special election, thereby limiting the administrative and financial burden of special elections and ensuring council seats are not left vacant for extended periods. Staff clarified the proposed appointment would only fill the seat until the next available election, not extend the vacant term.
Next steps: Staff will add the charter-amendment discussion and a draft resolution to the Monday agenda for council consideration and will follow up with the county attorney and other counsel as needed.
