Councilmember Replacement Process

The Council replacement process begins as soon as the Member formally communicates their intention of leaving the Council or no longer can meet the requirement of a Councilmember.

The Councilmember resigning will not be a member of the Council and not part of the replacement process on the day which a new Councilmember is selected.

1st Council night (January 8, 2024)

• The announcement of the vacancy
• Statement of the process: qualified individuals will write a letter stating what experience they will bring to City Council, reasons they wish to be a Councilmember and send the letter and resume to the City Clerk by email at slogan@osgov.com indicating that they wish to apply for the vacant position. Qualified individuals may also mail their letter and resume to PO Box 909, Ocean Shores, WA 98569, attention City Clerk.
• Regardless of the delivery method used, the letter or resume is due at City Clerk’s office between 9 am on January 9, 2024 and 2 pm on February 2,
• If a candidate chooses to withdraw their application before the selection process, they will not be able to be part of the selection
• Qualifications: At least 1-year full-time residency in the City at time of appointment; A currently registered voter in this district at time declares candidacy; Able to serve out the term until the next election certification

2nd Council night (January 22, 2024)

• 2nd Announcement of the vacancy

Friday before Selection Meeting (February 9, 2024)

• Invite applicants to the next Council meeting to speak individually for 3 minutes and to answer Council questions.
• City Clerk will provide copies of letter/resumes to Council members and the press.

3rd Council night (February 12, 2024)

• The applicants will be asked to wait outside the Council Chamber
• The applicants will be called one at a time selected randomly using randomizer
• Applicants may sit in the Council meeting and listen to subsequent applicants
• When all applicants have spoken, the Mayor will recess into executive session
• Mayor and Council will discuss qualifications in the executive session
• Mayor will reconvene the regular meeting
• All Councilmembers names will be randomized prior to the city council meeting the first Councilmember on the list may nominate a person for the open position if the Councilmember passes the Mayor will select another Councilmember to nominate a person.
• The Council will vote on the person nominated if there are four yes votes then the applicant becomes a new Councilperson. If there are not four yes votes, then the Mayor will select another Councilmember to place a nomination. Councilmembers may only vote once per nominee, and during the first round, the Mayor may not break the tie.

• If all Councilmembers have either nominated or voted for someone, the Council will move to round two. The process will start again, and Councilmembers may nominate a new person or re-nominate a person nominated in round one, however during this round the Mayor, if they choose, may vote if three Councilmembers are voting positive for an Applicant.

• If appointed, the new Councilmember may be sworn in and take their seat at the dais
• The regular meeting continues