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Cedar City Council appoints Phil Schmidt to fill vacant seat after public interviews
Summary
After interviewing three finalists, the council voted 4-1 to appoint Phil Schmidt to the vacant City Council seat and immediately administered the oath; candidates Elise Carden and Jaden Reardon each presented priorities including responsible growth, water and infrastructure during their five-minute interviews.
Cedar City — The Cedar City Council voted Nov. 12 to appoint Phil Schmidt to fill a vacant council seat and swore him in during the same meeting.
The council interviewed three applicants: Elise Carden, who described herself as a lifelong Cedar City resident and middle-school staff member and emphasized responsible growth and infrastructure; Jaden Reardon, a local business owner who stressed controlled growth and water planning; and Phil Schmidt, a recent mayoral candidate who highlighted his construction and infrastructure experience. "I consider myself a doer ... I will work hard to listen to the community," Elise Carden said. "I see myself as a visionary person," Jaden Reardon said. Phil Schmidt described his decades of construction work and experience coordinating with UDOT and staff on roads and water projects.
Vote and swearing-in: The council used a public ballot process with results read aloud. The presiding officer announced the tally as 4–1 in favor of Schmidt; the recorded votes as read on the record were: Phillips, Riddle, Cox and Melling for Schmidt; Wilkie for Elise Carden. The council then administered the oath and Schmidt took his place on the dais.
Why it matters: The appointment fills a one-fifth voting obligation on the five-member council and brings a member who emphasized infrastructure and coordination with state and county partners. Council members praised the quality of all three applicants and thanked them for applying.
Next steps: Schmidt will assume voting duties immediately and participate in council business. There was no appeal or further challenge presented at the meeting.
Clarifying details: The appointment vote was conducted by ballot and published by the city clerk as part of the public record; the results were read aloud by the presiding officer. The council invited the appointee to be sworn in at the same meeting.
