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Lake Stevens council approves open process to fill mayor vacancy, narrows rules for council applicants
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance 12-16 to open the mayoral vacancy to all qualified Lake Stevens residents, kept the position classified as full time for now, and approved procedural safeguards (application window, shortlist/interview process and recusal rules) for any council member who applies. Two council members voted no.
Lake Stevens’ City Council voted April 14 to open the process for filling the vacant mayor’s office to all qualified city residents, adopting Ordinance 12-16 and specific procedures for applicant review.
Mayor Pro Tem Jurstad opened discussion after City Administrator Gene and City Attorney Greg summarized options and legal constraints. Greg told the council the Washington Constitution and case law limit reducing an incumbent’s salary for an unexpired term, which complicates making a temporary appointment part time. “Our state constitution prohibits any reduction in salary,” Greg said, explaining why a temporary, lower-hours appointment would still require the full-time salary for the current term.
Council members debated whether the interim appointment should be full time, part time for the next 18 months, or leave that decision to the applicant pool. Councilman Packard argued the council should be open to candidates who can meet the job’s needs even if they propose fewer hours; other members, including those who recalled the time commitment of the prior mayor, said the role has effectively become full time.
The ordinance replaces code language requiring appointment from among council members with language, consistent with state statute, to allow appointment of any qualified Lake Stevens resident and clarifies that an incumbent council member remains eligible. Council also adopted a process for soliciting applications, narrowing applicants to six for interviews and allowing the council to set uniform interview lengths. The council approved an amendment that requires that any council member who applies be recused from participating in application review and interview administration (although statutory voting rights remain).
The motion to adopt Ordinance 12-16 passed with two recorded nays (McManus and Araya). Following the vote, staff was directed to post the application window and materials, note that the position is currently full time but that the council may consider part-time applicants with specified commitments, and return with schedule details.
Next steps: staff will post the application announcement, accept submissions during the prescribed window, and return to council with a shortlist and interview schedule. The council retains discretion to amend interview timing and other process details.
