New mayor remarks, swearing-in and plan set to fill vacant council seat

The Hurricane City Council opened with a prayer and pledge, swearing in incoming council members and marking the start of the new term, Mayor Clark Fawcett said.

Fawcett used his remarks to thank department heads and community volunteers for recent infrastructure and recreation projects, saying he was "super grateful for our department heads" and recounting new roads, irrigation expansions, and recreation facilities that he said have helped families and the community.

The mayor recognized local residents and volunteers by name, including Corinne Stout and the Stout children (Trinity and Kylie and their children), and presented small tokens to youth volunteers.

On board business, the council discussed how to fill a vacant council seat. Staff said the city will open applications for at least 14 days and scheduled a special meeting to evaluate applicants. The practice options discussed included bringing candidates in individually for interviews or having them sit in the audience and speak at the meeting. One councilmember said he preferred individual interviews to avoid unfair advantages for earlier or later speakers; staff said they would make applications available to council members in advance.

The council also discussed application-close timing and holiday impacts; staff said they had extended the filing period and that, per code, deadlines that fall on a holiday move to the next business day. A tentative closing date discussed in the meeting was the 20th, and members agreed to coordinate schedules for interviews when the applications list is final.

Before adjourning, staff passed along an invitation from the school district for the new mayor and council to meet the district board and superintendent for a work lunch on Monday, Jan. 12 at noon at 121 West Tabernacle; council members were asked to RSVP.

The council adjourned after a short meeting; a formal vote to adjourn was made and seconded and the mayor closed the meeting.