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Marshall council declares Ward 2 vacancy, sets special-election filing window and affirms a DEI appointment
Summary
Following Amanda Schwartz's resignation, the council declared a Ward 2 vacancy and called a special election to be held with the November ballot; filings will open July 14 and close July 28. The council also confirmed Sam Jens to the DEI Commission and reviewed the 2027 budget timeline.
The Marshall City Council declared a vacancy in Ward 2 after Council Member Amanda Schwartz resigned and set the process to fill the seat by special election.
City Clerk Steven Anderson told the council that under the city charter a vacancy with more than 180 days remaining must be filled by special election. "If there's more than 180 days left on a vacancy, we do have to fill that open position by a special election," Anderson said. Because of notice timelines, the earliest practical election date under state law is the November general election; filing for that ballot will open July 14 and close at 5:00 p.m. on July 28. Polling places will be the usual ward locations (Red Baron Arena for Ward 1, Marshall Middle School for Ward 2, and the Marshall Area YMCA for Ward 3). Candidates must specify whether they are filing for the two-year or four-year portion of the seat.
Council moved and passed a motion to declare the vacancy and call the special election.
Separately, the council affirmed a staff recommendation to appoint Sam Jens to a second term on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, with the term expiring May 31, 2029. That appointment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
On budgeting, Director of Administrative Services EJ Moberg outlined the proposed 2027 schedule: a work session at the council's second July meeting for community organization requests; a full review of operating and capital budgets on Aug. 25 starting at 3:00 p.m.; an Oct. 13 work session on health and dental insurance and potential rate adoption; and a Nov. 24 refresher ahead of the December truth-in-taxation hearing. Council members were asked to note the dates and forward any scheduling concerns.
The council adopted the vacancy declaration and the appointment by voice votes; staff will publish filing details and next steps for the special election.
