Bella Vista council looks to fill seat opened by resigning member

BELLA VISTA -- How to replace resigning alderman Allen King remains undecided following a City Council meeting Monday night.

King is moving from Bella Vista. Aldermen accepted his resignation effective Sunday.

Alderman Frank Anderson asked about the process of replacing King. Staff Attorney Jason Kelley said a memo was distributed at last week's work session stating it's up to the council to fill.

"You have a lot of latitude," Kelley said, noting resumes should be sent to Mayor Peter Christie, who will give them to the council.

Alderwoman Becky Morgan asked when the filing period for alderman spots opens. The filing period opens Friday, then runs for three weeks. The seats are filled during November's general election.

"I recommend we leave it open until November, then move in whoever wins a month early," Wozniak said.

Kelley cut off the discussion, saying the discussion was outside the rules council has set. Anderson asked if they could discuss it at the end of the meeting, Kelley said possibly.

When they reached the end of the agenda, Anderson said he wanted discussion on the vacancy. Kelley said that's for the work sessions.

After a bit of back and forth, discussion ended when alderman John Flynn said: "The council seems to think let the voters sort it out in November. They are only going to miss two meetings."

When the filing period for municipal elections opens Friday, Bella Vista will have three open seats on the City Council, Cassi Lapp, communications manager, said recently. Position 1 in each of the three wards will be decided.

Position 1, Ward 1 is held by Becky Morgan who isn't running for re-election, Lapp said.

Position 1, Ward 2 is held by Jim Wozniak who plans to run again, she said.

Position 1, Ward 3 was held by Allen King.

City Council members serve four-year terms with at least one meeting each month. Work sessions and special meetings are possible. City Council members are paid $5,640 annually.

Candidates must live in the ward they represent. They must be older than 18 and a registered voter.

According to the city, in order to run a candidate must collect 30 signatures of qualified voters in the ward they want to represent. The signed petition must be filed with the Benton Country Clerk between noon Friday and noon Aug. 19.

NW News on 07/26/2016

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