Maitland council to take applications to fill seat vacated March 25; deadline March 17, interviews March 24 and expected vote April 14

Mark Regenstein, a staff member, told the City Council that Councilmember Hall Harrison had tendered her resignation effective March 25, 2025, and explained the two options for filling the seat under the city charter: appointment by the remaining council members within 30 days, or a special election conducted by the supervisor of elections within the statutory window if the council declines to appoint. “Pursuant to section 206 of the charter, vacancies … the council seat is an appointment by the city council, by the remaining members of city council,” Regenstein said.

Council members discussed timing and process for either appointing a successor or proceeding to a special election. Multiple council members said they preferred an appointment process to avoid the cost and delay of a special election and to keep continuity on the council; others emphasized the need for a clear, uniform process for applicants and to avoid one‑on‑one conversations subject to sunshine law constraints.

A council member moved for direction that the council would appoint a replacement by application. The motion as stated on the record directed staff to advertise an application process with a deadline of March 17, 2025; to hold a "meet the candidate" or interview process on March 24, 2025 (with details to be set by staff and council); and to plan for an anticipated vote on an appointment at the council meeting on April 14, 2025. A second was recorded. The council discussed options for advertising and whether to hold interviews as a special meeting or during the regular meeting cycle; staff confirmed the final appointment vote must occur after the resignation is effective.

Council members also moved and seconded to cancel the regular March 10 meeting (a date that conflicted with local election activity); that motion was discussed and seconded on the record. Staff said the city will post application instructions and the timeline on the city's website and use normal outreach channels. One council member noted that the candidate pool historically has varied in size, and the council retained discretion to narrow applicants for additional interviews if necessary.

No final appointee was selected at the Feb. 24 meeting. The council’s direction was procedural: accept applications by March 17, hold candidate interviews or meet‑the‑candidate activities around March 24, and consider a final appointment vote on April 14. If the council elects not to appoint within the charter window, the supervisor of elections would be engaged to run a special election under the charter timelines outlined by staff.