Jefferson City Council to discuss changes to filling vacancies at Monday night meeting

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council is expected to consider changes to how vacant council seats are filled following two council resignations this year that exposed concerns about the city's current appointment process.

A proposed ordinance would establish a new procedure for filling council vacancies, replacing a process city officials have said is outdated and at times unclear.

Under the proposal, the mayor would publicly announce a vacancy after it occurs. Council members and the mayor would then be allowed to submit one nominee each, accompanied by a resume. Each nomination would require a second from another council member.

Residents would have an opportunity to submit questions or comments to their council representative before nominees appear before the council at a subsequent meeting. The council would then vote on a replacement, and the selected candidate would be sworn in during the same meeting.

The proposed changes come after the council has twice had to fill vacancies this year.

Most recently, Ward 3 Councilman Derek Thomas announced in April that he would resign effective June 2 because of family medical issues that require him to move out of Missouri. Thomas was elected in 2025 to represent the Third Ward, which covers northwestern Jefferson City.

His resignation followed the departure of former Ward 2 Councilman Aaron Mealy, who resigned in March. The council later appointed Cody Holt to fill that seat.

During discussions surrounding Mealy's replacement, city officials raised concerns about the current appointment process outlined in city code.

At a March council meeting, City Attorney Nathan Nickolaus said the city's charter directs the mayor to nominate a candidate subject to council approval, but an ordinance adopted in 2009 expands the process into several steps, including nominations, candidate filings, a public session and a later council vote.

The process sparked debate among council members after some questioned whether previous vacancies had been filled in a manner consistent with the ordinance.

Nickolaus said at the time that the city needed to follow the existing code as written, even if council members believed changes were necessary.

"We're trying really hard to make sure we follow this code book," City Administrator Brian Crane said during a March meeting. "I just want everybody to understand we're trying best we can to follow the laws that are in place. If we don't like the laws, we change the laws, but we don't just ignore the laws."

City officials said the proposed ordinance is intended to create a clearer and more streamlined process for future vacancies.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m.

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