Lawndale Rejects Plan for Filling Council Vacancies

The Lawndale City Council has unanimously rejected a proposal on filling council vacancies that result when a council member is elected mayor, or to another city post.

The proposed policy, which would have been non-binding, would have directed the council to fill such vacancies by appointing the runner-up in the concurrent council election. There are council elections every two years in April.

City Clerk Neil Roth, who offered the idea to the council Thursday night, said the proposal was intended to save money by eliminating the need for a special election. Roth said a special election costs the city about $25,000.

Under state law, when a council seat is left vacant because a council member is elected to another post, the council must either appoint a new member or announce a special election within 30 days.

In Lawndale, the mayor’s term is two years while the council and clerk’s terms are for four years.

Councilman Larry Rudolph said the proposal was unneeded because the council already has the option of appointing any candidate who loses a bid for a council seat.