West Yellowstone to accept applications to fill council vacancy; staff cites 30-day appointment requirement

The West Yellowstone Town Council discussed procedures to fill a vacancy on the council and directed staff to post a notice and accept applications through Nov. 10, with interviews scheduled for Nov. 18.

Council members reviewed Policy 41 and the town charter. A staff advisor and policy reviewer told the council the vacancy occurred before the election and that the town must follow the subsection that requires posting a notice and moving forward within the statutory deadlines. The policy and charter language were discussed at length, and a staff member cited the statute the council should follow in making an appointment within 30 days of the vacancy.

Councilmembers agreed to move ahead with a short timeline: staff will post the vacancy and accept letters of interest and applications through 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 and the council will schedule interviews at the Nov. 18 meeting, with the intention of making an appointment thereafter. A councilmember suggested the council interview all applicants and avoid pre-narrowing candidates; another noted the charter language might require offering the position to the first runner-up from the most recent election depending on timing.

The council—s direction creates a near-term timeline for filling the vacancy and directs staff to follow Policy 41 and the relevant charter/statutory provisions when reviewing applications. The clerk said she would post the notice and manage submissions.