Highland City Council appoints Ron Campbell to fill vacant seat

The Highland City Council on Dec. 11 appointed Ron Campbell to fill a council vacancy created when Mayor‑elect Britney Mills resigned earlier that day.

The council moved through a structured nomination and voting process outlined by city attorney Rob Patterson, who described two rounds of voting preceded by nominations and explained that if a candidate receives three votes they “are appointed and will be the Council member, immediately.” After ballots were cast in the final round, the council announced it had reached a majority and named Campbell the appointee.

Campbell, who has served on the council, gave a short opening statement emphasizing collaboration and a listening approach to council work. During questioning he said elected officials must set aside private preference when representing residents: “My duty to the public trumps it,” Campbell said when asked how he balances personal views and public duties. Candidates who advanced to the final round included Wes Warren, Kristen Ritchie, Terry German and Dennis LeBaron, Rob Patterson said; Jeffrey Anderson and Kelson Gurel were not nominated.

The appointment filled the remainder of the term vacated by Mills. The council used a nomination ballot in which each nominating participant could select up to two candidates; nominees moved on to a second question round and then a final council ballot to select the appointee. Patterson had described that process in advance: nominations would be collected, nominees would answer a second set of questions with time limits, and current council members would cast the final vote.

During their statements and answers, finalists discussed city priorities including zoning and housing policy, the general plan, parks and trail maintenance, fiscal restraint, and how to balance growth with the city’s character. Several candidates recommended targeted locations for higher‑density housing (the Longhorn area was mentioned repeatedly) and emphasized preserving large lots in much of Highland.

The council did not detail the final ballot tally in the public transcript; the appointment was announced in the meeting and the appointee will assume the council seat as allowed by the process Patterson outlined. The council then closed the meeting with a routine adjournment vote.