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Council outlines appointment process for anticipated Ward 1 vacancy; timing may trigger special election
Summary
Staff explained the charter-based appointment process the council will use when Councilmember Mary Anne Hankins Booker resigns; depending on timing, an election may be required to fill the unexpired term.
City staff told the council that the city charter (c 2 10) governs how vacancies in the mayoral or council offices are filled: the remaining council members must fill vacancies by appointment until a successor is elected at the next possible municipal election.
The council discussed the likely timetable for appointing a Ward 1 replacement after Councilmember Mary Anne Hankins Booker announced she will run for office and plans to resign. Staff said the council can begin accepting applications before an official resignation is filed but cannot act until the resignation creates a vacancy. The charter requires appointment by majority vote of the remaining members; staff noted a 60-day window referenced in state statute would be a prudent timeline for making an appointment.
Staff reviewed a recent precedent in which the council accepted applications, interviewed qualified ward residents in executive session, and then voted to appoint a successor who served until the next municipal election. Because Hankins Booker is early in her term, staff said a special election may be required to fill the remainder of her term, depending on the timing of her resignation and the next possible municipal election.
Council members asked when applications could be taken and were told applications can be accepted immediately but the council cannot act until the seat is formally vacant. Staff said they are still reviewing relevant state statutes and will provide further guidance on deadlines and election timing.
