Swisher council appoints Brian to fill mayoral vacancy

The Swisher City Council on Nov. 13 appointed Brian to fill the city’s vacant mayoral seat.

The appointment came after council members discussed Iowa Code requirements for appointment notices and the fact that only one application had been received. The clerk told the council the lone applicant could not attend the meeting because of a family emergency. Despite that, a motion to appoint Brian carried on a roll call.

Council members debated whether to delay to allow in-person introductions and re-post the vacancy, citing the state law that requires publication not less than four and not more than 20 days before the council considers an appointment. One council member said he would like to meet the applicant in person; another said the resume had already been reviewed and supported moving forward. The council voted to appoint Brian and leaders said the appointment will be effective when he completes required paperwork to assume the office.

No formal challenge to the appointment was recorded during the meeting; members confirmed the vote by roll call before adjourning.

The council did not provide a last name for the appointee in the meeting record on the night of the vote and did not announce an effective date beyond the statement that the appointment becomes effective when Brian completes office formalities.