Pierce County Council vote on 2025 officers ends 3-3, motion fails; leadership selection delayed

A motion to elect a 2025 leadership slate for the Pierce County Council failed on a 3-3 roll call vote Jan. 7, leaving the council without newly elected officers and forcing the body to defer leadership selection.

Council member Denson moved to elect Council member Hitchen as chair, Council member Herrera as vice chair, and Denson as executive pro tem. After discussion the council took a voice vote followed by roll call; the vote result was three ayes and three nays, which failed to adopt the slate. Council members Kuver, Herrera and Morell recorded “nay” on the roll call, while Hitchen, Ayala and Denson recorded “aye.”

Why it matters: The council’s rules require election of officers no later than the third Tuesday in January, and leadership roles determine committee assignments and external-board appointments. Council members discussed whether to wait for the District 5 appointment so the incoming member could participate in committee and leadership selections. Several members argued the delay would hamper committee appointments and imminent administrative actions; others said the newly appointed District 5 member should have input.

Outcome and next steps: With the motion failing, council leadership selection will be taken up at a later meeting. Council staff informed members that resolutions establishing standing committees and external-board appointments are on the Jan. 14 agenda; some council members said they would prefer to delay committee assignments until the District 5 appointment is resolved.