2.04A.010 Councilor vacancies—Appointment process.

(1)    A councilor position shall be officially declared vacant upon the occurrence of any of the causes of vacancy set forth in RCW 42.12.010, including resignation, recall, forfeiture, conviction of a felony, removal, or death.

(2)    The councilor position shall be filled at the next November general election, unless the vacancy occurs after the last day for filing declarations of candidacy, in which case the vacancy shall be filled at the next succeeding November general election. The person elected shall take office upon certification of the results of the election, and shall serve the unexpired term of the vacated office. Until a successor has been elected and certified, a majority of the council shall fill the vacancy by appointment.

(3)    The council shall publicly announce any vacancy and shall provide a reasonable period for interested candidates to apply and request that their name be considered for the vacant position.

(4)    Such notice of the vacancy and the application process shall be held open for a period of at least twenty-one (21) days. The twenty-one (21) day announcement period can begin prior to the date of actual vacancy.

(5)    The council shall direct staff to begin the appointment process. The clerk of the council shall prepare and submit a notice to the county’s official newspaper, with courtesy copies to other local media. The notice shall be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. The notice shall contain information, including but not limited to position requirements, time to be served in the vacant position, salary information, powers and duties of councilors, application deadlines, and any other information the council deems appropriate.

(6)    The clerk of the council shall prepare an application form requesting the appropriate information for the council’s consideration. Copies of the notice and application form shall be made available at the county council’s office, on the county council’s website, and at other venues deemed appropriate by the council. (Sec. 1 of Ord. 2023-05-10)