Commission considers appointment vs. special election to fill vacant city commissioner seat

Brentwood commissioners discussed the process to fill a vacant city commissioner seat at a June briefing, weighing an appointment against triggering a special election and considering timing, cost and potential overlap with other referendum issues.

Staff reminded the commission that the charter provides a 90‑day window to appoint a replacement; if the commission does not appoint within 90 days, state law requires a special election within 75–120 days after the election authority is notified. Commissioners may waive the 90‑day waiting period by a two‑thirds vote (four of seven commissioners) to call an immediate special election. The vacancy term would run through May 2027 (the remainder of the departed commissioner’s term), staff said.

Commissioners who have faced the choice in prior vacancies noted trade‑offs. One commissioner recounted that appointing a candidate with prior experience allowed that person to “hit the ground running,” avoiding a learning curve that reduces effective time in office; another commissioner noted a special election may cost about $50,000 and can suffer low turnout if held soon after a major general election. Commissioners also noted the potential interaction with any future referendum on financing a racket facility or other major projects; some said combining ballot items might complicate matters and influence turnout.

Commissioners asked staff to return to the next briefing with a recommended timeline and an example application process used in a prior vacancy (2008 appointment) for an appointment route, and to model the cost and schedule for a special election if that option were chosen. No final decision was made at the briefing.