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Mayor appoints Julie Collins to fill Bellevue Ward 4 vacancy; motion passes after debate
Summary
The Bellevue mayor announced his appointment of Julie Collins to the vacant Ward 4 council seat and the council voted to confirm her Dec. 17. The council debated multiple applicants; two members voted against the appointment. Collins was sworn in and abstained from subsequent votes because she had not yet had time to review packet materials.
The Bellevue mayor appointed Julie Collins to fill the Ward 4 City Council vacancy and the City Council confirmed the appointment during its Dec. 17 meeting.
The mayor introduced Collins as his recommended appointee, saying she is a “lifelong 5th‑generation resident of Bellevue,” works in title and escrow and “is sincere” and “not afraid to voice her opinion.” He said he believed Collins would be willing to run for the seat in the next election and would “maintain some continuity.”
The council held a short debate. Councilman Don Preister said he interviewed all six applicants and preferred Bruce Yoder because "he understands the issues and is eager to work on them," citing Yoder’s planning and architecture background and service on the Bellevue Housing Authority. Councilman Burns said he also favored Yoder and announced he would vote no if Collins were selected; Councilwoman Susan Welch formally moved to approve the mayor’s recommendation.
Legal counsel Amy advised the council on Nebraska statutory procedure for filling vacancies, citing Nebraska Revised Statute provisions governing mayoral appointments and noting that, because the position carries a salary, the statute requires four affirmative council votes (or three plus the mayor voting as a council member) to authorize the appointment. After roll call showed three yes votes and two no votes, the mayor cast the additional affirmative vote and the motion carried.
Julie Collins was then administered the oath of office and took the Council seat. Judge Palm performed the oath. Following the swearing‑in, Collins took her seat and abstained from subsequent votes during the meeting; the mayor and council members repeatedly noted she could abstain on items where she lacked "firsthand knowledge" of packet materials.
The appointment fills the unexpired term through December 2026; the mayor said the appointee would need to stand for election at the next regularly scheduled election if they wish to continue in the seat.
Council votes and attendance were captured on the record. The appointment motion passed with four affirmative votes and two negative votes (Councilman Preister and Councilman Burns), after the mayor cast the decisive affirmative vote.
