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Ivins council approves process to fill 2026 council vacancy, including coin‑flip tie procedure
Summary
Council adopted a resolution establishing the timeline and interview procedures to fill a midterm council vacancy that will result from Kevin Smith becoming mayor; the adopted process includes timelines, candidate packet dates, two‑minute openings/closings, HR/legal vetting of questions and a state‑code tie‑breaking procedure (coin flip).
The Ivins City Council on Nov. 20 approved Resolution 2025‑24, which lays out the process the council will use to fill a midterm council seat in 2026 when Kevin Smith assumes mayoral duties.
City attorney and staff worked with councilmembers to refine timelines, application materials and interview procedures. Key elements added or clarified at the meeting included:
• Timing: the resignation/transition timing was set to align with the swearing‑in on Jan. 5; staff will publish the vacancy notice and packet information (applications, optional questionnaires and exhibit materials) on the schedule discussed in the packet.
• Interview format: candidates will undergo individual interviews with council members. Each candidate may make a short opening statement (2 minutes), answer vet‑ted questions prepared in advance, and have a 2‑minute closing statement. HR and legal will vet questions for legality and fairness.
• Tie‑breaking: the resolution follows state code if no candidate receives a majority; the transcript notes that state code directs the council to select by lots — clarified in practice as a coin flip — for some tie scenarios. Staff will preside over that process if needed.
• Fairness and postponement: the resolution adds an option to postpone if a council member cannot participate, and it clarifies that these procedures supersede other city rules for the duration of the selection process.
Councilmember Sharon Barton (and others) praised the packet‑style approach and the professional interview format, comparing it to prior city manager recruitments. After the amendments were accepted, council approved the resolution by roll call vote (ayes recorded; no opposing votes reported in the transcript). Staff will prepare and post the vacancy packet and timeline described in the approved resolution.
Next steps: staff will publish the application packet, schedule interviews and distribute the final question list as approved by HR and legal. If no candidate receives a majority in an initial ballot, council members will follow the resolution’s tie‑breaking steps consistent with state code.
