Star Valley Ranch council appoints Wade Bitter to council seat

The Star Valley Ranch Town Council appointed Mr. Wade Bitter to a council seat at a special meeting on Jan. 28, 2025, following nominations and a recorded vote, Mayor Pro-tem Rok declared.

Mayor Pro-tem Rok opened the meeting’s discussion of the appointment process, outlining how the council had advertised for candidates, conducted interviews and would proceed with nominations. The council then opened nominations for the vacant councilperson seat.

Councilman Toolson nominated Mr. Siddoway; Councilman Merrill nominated Mr. Aroian; and Councilman Ellis nominated Mr. Bitter. After nominations closed, each nominator described the reasons for their choice: Councilman Toolson cited Mr. Siddoway’s experience, Councilman Merrill cited Mr. Aroian’s work with the road board and his involvement in town affairs, and Councilman Ellis highlighted Mr. Bitter’s finance experience and his role establishing policies and procedures.

Councilman Toolson moved to call for a vote on the nominees; Councilman Merrill seconded and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. In the recorded selections that followed, Councilman Toolson voted for Mr. Siddoway, Councilman Merrill voted for Mr. Aroian, and Councilman Ellis and Mayor Pro-tem Rok voted for Mr. Bitter. After the votes were recorded, Mayor Pro-tem Rok declared Mr. Wade Bitter the winner and the newly chosen councilperson.

The meeting concluded shortly thereafter; Councilman Ellis moved to adjourn, Councilman Toolson seconded, and the body adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

The council’s actions on Jan. 28 consisted of procedural steps typical for filling a vacancy: a review of the candidate-selection process, an open nomination period, brief council statements in support of nominees, and a formalized selection by recorded vote.