Signal Mountain manager outlines timeline for council vacancy applications and public questions

Town staff updated the council on the process and timeline for filling a current council vacancy and on public input collected for candidate screening.

Staff said the vacancy was advertised on Feb. 13 and that the town solicited questions from residents to inform candidate responses; the public-question submission period closed at 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting and staff reported receiving 35 questions. The town manager said staff will compile and publish those questions and forward them to applicants, who will be asked to submit written responses.

Key dates staff provided: the applicant window closes Feb. 27; staff expects to post the applicant list on Feb. 28; applicant responses to the published questions are due March 7; and the council expects to act on the appointment at its regular meeting on March 10. Staff said citizen feedback on applicant answers will be accepted after the responses are published.

Council members discussed whether to edit or consolidate overlapping questions. Several members said the town should publish all 35 questions and let applicants answer at their discretion; others suggested grouping similar questions by topic to reduce redundancy. Staff said it will present the compiled questions and noted some submissions might be more appropriate for staff response rather than candidate responses; council members agreed the town should be transparent and publish questions as submitted, with possible topical grouping for readability.

Staff also said it will confirm that all submitted applications and emails were received; the manager asked residents who applied but did not receive confirmation to contact the town so staff can reconcile submissions.