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Oakdale council opts for appointment process, not special election, to fill vacant seat
Summary
After public comment and staff briefing on costs and timelines, Oakdale City Council voted 3-1 to accept applications and interview candidates for the vacant council seat rather than calling a costly special election.
Mayor Sherilyn Barrios and three council members voted to accept applications and conduct interviews to fill the vacancy created by the Sept. 18 resignation of Council member Christopher Smith, rather than place the race on a special election ballot.
The motion directs staff to advertise a deadline of Oct. 23, 2025, at 4 p.m. for applications and to hold a special council meeting on Nov. 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. for three-minute presentations and interviews. Council voted 3-1 to adopt the appointment timetable; Council member Potassie voted no.
Staff told the council that Government Code section 36512 requires the council to fill the vacancy either by appointment within 60 days or by calling a special election; if the council cannot appoint within 60 days, a special election becomes automatic. Using 2022 figures, staff estimated the cost of a special election could range from about $27,000 (if consolidated with the June primary) to roughly $77,000–$104,000 if held on a separate April or May date. Staff said it had reached out to the county registrar for current estimates.
The public comment period included more than a dozen residents who urged either appointment or an election. Several speakers, including Justin Bettinger (who introduced himself at the podium as a Navy veteran, retired Stockton police officer and local business owner), and others who ran in the 2024 council race, asked the council to appoint a runner-up or to use the application-and-interview process. Others urged a special election, saying voters should choose the replacement.
City staff's minute order (staff presentation) outlined three options: (1) call a special municipal election (staff recommended a June 2/3, 2026 date in materials as the lowest-cost option), (2) accept applications and appoint a replacement within 60 days, or (3) accept applications and appoint after interviews. The council selected the interview-and-appointment route and set the application deadline and special meeting date.
By the council's direction, staff will publish the application notice in the Oakdale Leader, on the city website and social media, and schedule the Nov. 3 meeting where applicants will make three-minute presentations and answer questions. The council did not name a specific appointee at the meeting.
The resolution and minute order language presented to council referenced Government Code section 36512 and explained residency and voter-registration eligibility requirements for potential appointees (must be a registered voter, a resident of Oakdale, U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old). Staff said funds for a special election, if needed, would come from the general fund and that the appointment option would have minimal fiscal impact beyond staff time.
The council asked staff to circulate the application materials widely and to post dates and instructions on city channels; staff said the notice would appear in the next Oakdale Leader publication and on the city's website.
What happens next: the city will accept applications through Oct. 23, 2025, hold a publicly noticed special meeting on Nov. 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. to hear applicants, and the council will appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the term unless a special election becomes required by the statutory timeline.
