Henderson City Council to decide on filling vacant seat

By Aida Ahmed

Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011 | 1:43 p.m.

The Henderson City Council will decide next week whether to spend up to $248,000 for a special election or $340 to appoint a member to fill the Ward 3 seat left open by Kathleen Vermillion’s resignation.

Vermillion, who has served on the council since June 2009, announced her departure at a council meeting last month. Her resignation will take effect Jan. 1.

The council on Tuesday is expected to accept her resignation and discuss options for filling the office.

According to the meeting agenda, the council could appoint a new member, hold a special election or conduct an all-mail-ballot special election.

If the council votes to appoint a new council member it must be done within 30 days of the vacancy. The appointment process would cost $340 to publish a legal notice in the newspaper.

The council appointed Councilwoman Deborah March in 2009 to fill the Ward 2 seat left vacant when Andy Hafen was elected mayor. Sixteen candidates vied for the position.

A special election with voting centers and two days of early voting would cost the city $122,550 for labor, ballots, signs and other items. An all-mail ballot special election, meanwhile, would cost $248,213, with a 40 percent return of ballots, for printing and postage.

A special election would be held March 6 with the swearing in of the winner on March 20.

The council will vote on the replacement process at the council’s next meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the council chambers, 240 Water St.