Chapter 2.08
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Sections:
2.08.010 Vacancy procedure.
Whenever a vacancy occurs in the nonpartisan office of county judge who does not exercise judicial functions or in the office of one of the county commissioners, the remaining members of the county court shall appoint a person to fill that office until the vacancy is filled at the next county-wide election.
Before a person appointed under this section takes office, the person shall qualify in the same manner as required by law for the office to be filled.
The county clerk shall provide notice to every member of the county court of the need to fill the office or vacancy. Additionally, the remaining members of the county court shall cause public notice to be given in the county’s newspaper of record at least seven days prior to the meeting at which the office is to be filled, notifying the public of the vacancy and specifying the office to be filled at the meeting.
Registered voters of the county may submit names to the county court for consideration; however, to be nominated, a member of the county court must subsequently nominate such person. Nominations from registered voters must be received within 30 days of publication of the notice of vacancy. The person making the nomination must submit a signed statement from the nominee that the nominee is willing to serve.
The county court may request written applications from the nominees as part of the overall assessment process. The county court shall fill the vacancy at any regular or special meeting of the county court, and may grant the nominees the opportunity to provide additional information and to answer questions.
The county court must fill a vacancy by majority vote and within 90 days of receiving notice from the county clerk. If the county court fails to appoint a qualified person to fill a vacancy within 90 days of receiving notice from the county clerk, the remaining members of the county court may petition the Governor to appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy. The Governor may appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy after being petitioned if at the time the Governor fills the vacancy the county court has not appointed a qualified person to fill the vacancy. (Ord. 287 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016; Ord. 30 § 1, 1984)