Jefferson council declines to appoint interim mayor, leaves vacancy until election

The Jefferson City Council voted on Dec. 16 to leave the mayor’s seat vacant instead of appointing an interim mayor, concluding the matter after an executive session and a post‑session motion that passed by voice vote.

Public voices: Several residents urged the council to appoint an interim mayor during the public comment portion. Tammy Smith, a local business owner, told the council she "would respectfully request the council members appoint Hunter Lee Mannich to be the interim mayor," arguing the mayor serves as a needed tie‑breaker and praising his openness to residents. Rockliff Montez and Stan Davis also offered public endorsements for the same candidate.

Council reasoning and outcome: Council members noted the election candidate sign‑up period is imminent. One council member said recent commission votes have largely been unanimous and suggested the council could wait for the election process to proceed; another pointed to the fairness of allowing candidates to run rather than filling the seat by appointment. After discussion, a motion "that we do not appoint a mayor and keep things as it is" was made, seconded and approved by the council.

What happens next: The council’s decision leaves the mayoral vacancy unfilled until formal election procedures and candidate sign‑ups proceed as scheduled. The council did not record a roll‑call of individual yes/no votes in the public minutes; the motion carried by voice vote.

Context: The mayoral resignation (consent agenda item C) accepting Patricia Fenstrom’s resignation was listed earlier in the meeting. Some public commenters urged immediate appointment; others urged waiting for election sign‑up to preserve fairness.