By Sara Beth Williams–
Following the resignation of Mayor Bret Daniels last month, Citrus Heights City Council members will consider options for filling the current council seat vacancy at the next City Council meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Daniels resigned from his District 1 City Council seat three months before the end of his term, with the city subsequently releasing a statement regarding how the council plans to address vacancies.
“The position is part of a collaborative governance model in which the entire City Council works together to set policy and direction for the community,” the city wrote in a statement, adding that, in the event of an early vacancy, the city has established procedures in place to fill the vacancy in order to “maintain stability.”
The process for filling a vacant seat requires that current City Council members either appoint a replacement or hold a special election within 60 days, according to the Government Code. A person appointed or elected to fill a vacancy holds office for the extent of the unexpired term of the former incumbent.
If the City Council were to decide to appoint a replacement, the appointment must be made no later than Oct. 30, after an application and interview process takes place. Any appointed person would only hold office until Dec. 11, the city said in the upcoming agenda packet. The successful District 1 candidate elected during the Nov. 5 election would be seated during the Dec. 11 council meeting.
According to the city, since the District 1 seat is already scheduled to be filled at the Nov. 5, 2024 election, “it is not necessary for the City Council to call a special election for this purpose.” Therefore, if the City Council doesn’t choose to appoint a replacement, Daniels’ seat would remain vacant until a new council member for District 1 is elected on Nov. 5 for a full four-year term.
According to the League of California Cities, a council member who moves his or her residence outside the city or district from which he or she was elected is forced to immediately vacate his or her office.
In his resignation announcement to the City Council at the end of August, Daniels said he was unable to secure housing in his district following his family’s move to Kentucky, and was therefore required to resign. Daniels requested that the council leave his seat open and “let the citizens decide” who the next council member for District 1 will be through the Nov. 5 election process.
Those wishing to make a public comment during the meeting can do so by attending the council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at City Hall at 6 p.m., or by submitting a written comment beforehand using the city’s website. The deadline to submit comments online is 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting. See full agenda packet online: Click here.
