Poulsbo council unanimously swears in Layton Thomas to fill vacant seat

The Poulsbo City Council amended its July 8 workshop agenda to allow the swearing-in of Leighton Thomas and formally administered the oath of office during the meeting.

Mayor (presiding officer) read the ceremonial language and guided Thomas through the oath. The mayor said the council had met earlier in closed interviews and, by unanimous vote, selected Thomas to fill Council Position 7 after the early retirement of Gary McVay. After taking the oath, Thomas thanked the council, called the appointment "a tremendous privilege and a responsibility," and asked the public and former applicants to remain engaged with the city.

The motion to amend the agenda to permit the swearing-in was made and seconded during opening procedures and approved by voice vote. The mayor presented flowers and the newly sworn councilmember offered brief remarks thanking Mayor Stern, council members and community supporters.

The appointment was described in the meeting as the outcome of an earlier meeting of the council in which four finalists were interviewed. Council did not record a roll-call breakdown of that earlier appointment vote during tonight's workshop; the mayor stated the appointment was adopted by unanimous vote at that prior meeting. No further formal action was required during the July 8 workshop beyond the oath and the candidate's acceptance remarks.

The council proceeded after the swearing-in to the workshop agenda items, noting the appointment will be reflected in future meeting minutes and the city clerk's records.