Akron council rejects rules amendment to formalize vacancy screening committee

Councilperson Wilson urged city council to adopt a substitute resolution to amend the council's rules so that vacancy appointments would use an appointed screening committee, require interviews of applicants and include public engagement. "This legislation has three main parts," Wilson said, adding that the proposal was intended to "build on what we've been doing and create a gold standard." She said the change was flexible and could be amended later.

Opponents said the timing was wrong. Council President Margo Somerville said the council was "in the middle of the process now" and called a mid-process rules change "putting the cart before the horse," arguing the body should finish current engagement work before codifying changes. Councilman McKittrick, whose committee reported favorably, urged a suspension of the rules to move the item to a vote but ultimately did not support final passage.

Councilwoman Davis and Councilwoman Boyse said they supported formalizing the practices into the rules but were open to more time for collective input; Councilman Garrett criticized the suggestion that council resist public concerns, saying constituents asked that the process avoid "backdoor deals." Several council members said town halls and interviews had already informed the draft rules.

The clerk called a roll vote after discussion. The result was five ayes and six nays; the motion failed. The council left open the possibility of further work: President Somerville and several members said they would continue engagement and consider amendments before bringing a revised proposal back for consideration.

The vote was a formal defeat of the substitute resolution; the council did not adopt the proposed rule changes during this meeting.