Mayor Thompson to resign before Jan. 21; council outlines appointment process

Mayor Thompson read a resignation letter to the council stating that, following his recent election to the state legislature, he will resign as mayor on or before Jan. 20, 2025 (the date before he must be sworn into the legislature). He said the resignation timing is intended to ensure the city always has a sitting mayor and to allow the council to follow the appointment process.

The city attorney—s memo (in the drive) sets out the replacement process: public notice of the vacancy, an opportunity for qualified individuals to submit their names, open interviews in an open meeting and a council vote to appoint the new mayor. Thompson said, "In the event of a tie, I will be the tie breaking vote" for appointments occurring before his departure. Council and staff discussed notification options (city newsletter, local newspapers and text message tools) and the timing required to post notice 14 days before a Jan. 7 appointment meeting.

Next steps: the mayor and staff will prepare the official notice and publicize filing requirements; the council expects to complete the appointment at the Jan. 7 meeting if timing and notice requirements are met.