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Council appoints Reuben Koesmeyer to Ward 4 after five‑candidate selection process
Summary
After interviewing five applicants for the Ward 4 vacancy, the Merriam City Council followed its city‑code ballot process and selected Reuben Koesmeyer in a final vote; he was sworn in and will create a vacancy on the planning commission.
The Merriam City Council on Oct. 28 appointed Reuben Koesmeyer to fill the Ward 4 vacancy left by David Neal.
Following interviews with five candidates, councilors followed the process in city code section 2.27. In the first round each councilmember voted for two names; the top two vote‑getters, Reuben Koesmeyer and Nita Dillon, advanced. In the final ballot Koesmeyer won with six votes. "I, Reuben Koesmeyer... I am ready to serve," Koesmeyer said after the vote.
Candidates highlighted different priorities during their interviews. Koesmeyer, an engineer and certified floodplain manager, emphasized pedestrian connectivity and expertise in flood mitigation and hydraulic modeling, saying his technical background would help the city work with federal and state agencies. Other candidates raised issues including housing affordability, transportation changes tied to the I‑35/Shawnee Mission Parkway corridor, and neighborhood concerns such as the single‑hauler trash initiative.
At the swearing‑in ceremony Koesmeyer repeated the oath to support the U.S. and Kansas constitutions and to faithfully discharge the duties of councilmember. (The meeting transcript contains a misrendering of the municipal name while reciting the oath; the official oath pertains to the City of Merriam.)
Why it matters: the appointment fills a Ward 4 seat and shifts the composition of the council ahead of several local infrastructure and planning matters. Council members noted Koesmeyer's appointment also creates a vacancy on the Planning Commission that the council may fill in a future meeting.
Next steps: Koesmeyer joins council immediately and will participate in future votes and committee assignments; staff indicated they will advertise for the Planning Commission vacancy.
