Lincoln County commissioners set June 29 deadline, schedule June 30 interviews to fill District 2 seat

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted June 22 to require letters of interest for the District 2 vacancy by June 29 at 5:00 p.m. and to begin public interviews at 6:30 p.m. on June 30, with additional night meetings if needed.

The action follows the June 18 resignation that started a 35‑day statutory clock for filling the seat. County counsel presented a draft appointment procedure that would post applicants’ letters on the county’s Civic Clerk portal, require confirmation of District 2 residency and legal qualifications, and direct the board to use consistent interview questions. "Letters of interest must be submitted by June 29th at 5:00 p.m.," Commissioner Landeen said when she moved the timeline; the motion passed on a roll call vote.

Why it matters: The board must appoint a replacement within the statutory window; setting a public application deadline and holding interviews in evening meetings were intended to maximize transparency and allow residents to observe candidates. Deputy State's Attorney Drew DeGroot told the board the draft procedure is flexible — it allows either open interviews or executive‑session discussions of qualifications and describes two appointment options, a standard motion/second vote or a Robert's Rules–style ballot format that places invited applicants on a ballot for commissioner selection.

Board members debated timing and process details for much of the meeting. Several commissioners said posting applicant materials online and forwarding informal inquiries to the commission office will help ensure everyone interested is considered. Commissioners discussed holding interviews at night to improve public access if there are many applicants.

Public comment: Chad Scales of Kent urged the board not to use a secret ballot and said "I am opposed to the ballot process," arguing that individual commissioner votes should be public record. DeGroot responded that any ballot used by a government body would be public record and would be filed with the auditor’s office, so the public would know how each commissioner voted.

What the procedure requires: The adopted draft calls for advertising the vacancy on the county website and other means the board deems appropriate; letters must include the applicant’s name, physical address, contact information, confirmation of District 2 residency and a statement of qualifications. Staff said materials will be posted on Civic Clerk for public review.

Next steps: Interviews will begin the evening of June 30 at 6:30 and continue at subsequent night meetings if necessary; the board retains discretion over the final appointment method. The statutory 35‑day deadline for completing the appointment was noted as July 23, counted from the June 18 resignation. The meeting adjourned after a brief round of commissioner reports.