Commission accepts resignation of Commissioner Sandy Pritchard; sets 30-day window and weighs appointment vs. special election

The Boyne City Commission voted to accept Commissioner Sandy Pritchard’s resignation, made effective March 24, 2026, and began the process to fill the vacancy under the charter’s 30-day timeline.

Staff advised the 30-day clock begins when the commission formally accepts the resignation; the commission moved to accept the resignation and carried the motion on a roll call vote. Commissioners discussed two tracks: appointing a replacement (with optional public interviews) or, if the vacancy is not filled within 30 days, holding a special election. The appointee would serve the remainder of the term through November 2027.

Multiple speakers called for transparency. Public commenter Cindy Banner praised Pritchard’s service and asked that the public be allowed to observe candidate interviews. Tim Nemanek urged the commission to consider a special election to avoid conflict-of-interest concerns and to better represent community voices.

Staff said applications were available at the front office and that the city would gather cost information for a special election so the commission could weigh options. Commissioners discussed practical scheduling and proposed an application deadline of April 10 to allow review prior to the April 14 meeting. The commission directed staff to provide special-election cost estimates and to proceed with public notice and application logistics; no appointment was made at the meeting.