Owasso council declares Ward 4 vacancy, directs open application process and fills a council vacancy by nomination

The Owasso City Council on an evening meeting voted to declare a vacancy in Ward 4 and directed the city clerk to publish a notice of vacancy and accept letters of interest from eligible candidates.

Council members said the vote was intended to formally establish that the Ward 4 seat is vacant and to begin the statutory appointment process. The council then moved to consider a separate, additional vacancy and solicited nominations to fill that seat by appointment.

During the vacancy-declaration item, staff told the council the appropriate motion would be to declare the vacancy and instruct the clerk to open the application period. A motion to approve the notice of vacancy carried on a roll-call vote with affirmative votes recorded by council members Belthrop, Loving, Walter and Preggett.

On a following item, the council entertained nominations to fill another council vacancy. Council members nominated and seconded Dr. Paul Lovett (nominated from the floor). The nomination received affirmative votes from council members Lubbock, Walter, Belthrop, Cruche and others on the roll call, and the council moved forward with that appointment at the meeting.

The council did not provide a timeline for when letters of interest will be due in the meeting discussion. City staff were directed to publish the vacancy notice and accept letters of interest per the standard appointment process.

The council handled the vacancy and appointment items during its regular meeting; no public commenters signed up to speak on these agenda items.