Centennial council chooses appointment process, sets Jan. 30 deadline for District 2 applications

At a study session, the Centennial City Council directed staff to begin accepting applications to fill the District 2 vacancy and set a closing date of January 30 at 5:00 p.m., with the intention of appointing a replacement rather than calling a special election.

Chris Price, the staff presenter, told the council the Home Rule Charter provides two options "by appointment or the council can call for a special election," and emphasized the charter’s language that vacancies be filled "as soon as practicable," giving the council discretion on timing and method. Price warned that a city-run special election carries substantial logistical demands and likely greater cost and time than an appointment process.

Why it matters: A special election would require at least about 90 days to organize and could push the vote into a coordinated June election, which may lower per-jurisdiction cost but lengthen…