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Council calls special election for vacant council position No. 4 to be held in November
Summary
The council approved Resolution 2026-29 asking the Benton County Auditor to place a special-election item on the November 2026 ballot to fill council position No. 4 (partial term through Dec. 31, 2029) after the elected candidate Donald Landsman died before taking office.
City legal counsel explained that, under the city charter and consistent with a 2000 Attorney General opinion, Richland may call a special election in an even‑numbered year to fill a partial term without creating a conflict with state law that governs full municipal terms.
Counsel (Kinsley) told council that the 2025 general election had awarded position No. 4 to Donald Landsman and that he passed away before taking office, creating the vacancy. She summarized the charter and state law interaction and said the person elected this November would serve through Dec. 31, 2029.
Council moved to place the special‑election item on the November 2026 ballot and passed the resolution by voice vote; council member Meyer moved the motion and it was seconded. The resolution directs the Benton County Auditor to place the item on the ballot to allow qualified candidates to run for the partial term.
Kinsley noted the distinction between full municipal terms (which occur in odd‑numbered years) and this charter‑authorized partial‑term election in an even‑numbered year; the action is intended to let voters elect a successor for the remainder of the unexpired term.
