BENTONVILLE -- Jim Webb resigned from his Ward 4 City Council position this week, and the remaining six council members will appoint his replacement Feb. 27.
Ward 4 encompasses the city's southeastern area. It's bound by Central Avenue to the north and A Street and South Walton Boulevard to the west.
Webb, elected to the council in 2014 and re-elected in 2016, moved outside his ward and into Ward 1. State law requires council members live in the ward they were elected.
He notified Mayor Bob McCaslin and council members by email Wednesday. His resignation was effective immediately.
Webb said Friday he and his family were moving to a house with more room and a bigger yard. They were hoping to stay in Ward 4, but a house in Ward 1 grabbed their attention, he said.
Webb said he's enjoyed being a part of council and being a part of making long-term decisions for the city but isn't looking to immediately seek another position in this fall's general election.
"As for right now, I think we've got a great council," he said. "Maybe in the future I may run, but as for now, I'm going to enjoy the quiet and focus on the move and on my family."
Councils can fill vacant seats by either appointing someone or by holding a special election depending on much time is left on the term, said George Spence, city attorney.
"Since there's less than a year left on the term, they have no choice but to fill it by appointment," he said.
The council opted to call a special election to fill an empty Ward 3 seat after Tom Hoehn moved to Dallas in November.
The special election will be held March 13. Aubrey Patterson and Michelle Malashock are vying for the seat.
Ward 3 encompasses the city's southwest area. It's south of West Central Avenue and Southwest Second Street and west of Southwest A Street, South Walton Boulevard and South Rainbow Road.
The seat that became open this week will be filled by the end of the month, while the seat that became open in November won't be filled until the middle of March, said Mayor Bob McCaslin.
"I don't like it, but we have to follow the law," he said.
McCaslin recalled a time in 2014 when two council seats became vacant around the same time. The council opted to fill both by appointment.
Those interested in submitting a letter of intent and a resume for the open Ward 4 seat should do so to City Hall at 117 W. Central Ave. by noon Feb. 26.
The appointed council member and the one to be elected in March will fill the remainder of each term, which end in December. Both seats will be up for election in November.
Council members in Bentonville represent the ward they reside in, but are elected at-large and serve two-year terms because the city's population is less than 50,000. Council members in cities with a population more than 50,000 are elected to four-year terms, according to state law.
NW News on 02/17/2018