Title
Discussion and Possible Action on the Filling of Councilor Vacancy.
Recommended Action
I nominate Aaron Walker, David Hampton, Andrew Fraser, Melanee Hand, Steven Booth, Keith Lepsch, Brandi Engeman, and Antonio Maggiore to fill one vacancy on the County Council and move that Council appoint one nominee to the vacant position as follows:
By roll call vote, Councilors vote for one nominee and the nominee with the highest vote total of four or more be appointed to fill the remainder of the term beginning on January 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2022.
Body
The purpose of this item is to fill a vacancy on the Council after the resignation of Councilor James Robinson on December 31, 2021. According to the County Charter, Section 200.4: "When a vacancy occurs in the Council, the remaining Councilors shall appoint a qualified person to fill it for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the vacancy occurs within ninety (90) calendar days prior to the expiration of the term, no such appointment shall be made."
Applicants were asked to submit a "letter of interest" stating that they were a qualified voter and resided in the County, along with a summary of their experience, background and any other qualifications that they felt made them the best candidate. The vacancy was advertised in the Los Alamos Daily Post in addition to information displayed on the County Facebook Page, webpage postings and "County Line" e-newsletter postings.
Letters from eight (8) applicants (provided in Attachment A) were received by the deadline of January 20th and Attachment B shows their voter status.
Council updated the process during the January 11, 2022 Council meeting and Attachment C shows that process.
Attachments
A - Letters of Interest January 2022
B - Voter Status of Applicants
C - Council Procedural Rules Attachment C updated 1-11-22