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After discussing the matter at the tail end of Monday night's meeting, the Marshalltown city council voted 4-2 to move forward with appointing a replacement to fill the Third Ward vacancy left by Dex's Walker's departure until the next city election in November unless a petition for a special election is called.
Walker, who was first elected in 2021, recently announced his resignation effective July 3 as he has accepted a new job that will require a move to the Des Moines area. Interim City Administrator Robert Fagen presented two primary options: appointing a councilor who would take office in August and then, in all likelihood, run for a full term in November, or call for a special election in September, which could coincide with a vote on the proposed franchise fees for electric and gas bills.
Fagen clarified that whoever wins a special election would serve the remaining two plus years of Walker's term until the end of 2025. Barry Kell was the first councilor to speak on the matter and said he "leaned toward" the appointment option but would like to modify the timeline slightly to allow optimal time for interested individuals to apply. The document attached to Monday's council packet indicated a two-week posting period from June 29 to July 12.
"(With) people's family vacations and such, I'd like to see that two-week posting occur right after the Fourth or extend that window to three or four weeks. Otherwise, I'm fine with what's laid out and prescribed there," Kell said.
Fellow Councilor Gary Thompson responded that he favored the special election route because he didn't believe elected seats should be appointed.
"I guarantee you I will get the petition and I will demand a special election, so if we appoint, we're gonna have a person sit in three meetings," he said. "We can appoint, but again, you're just gonna have an appointment for three meetings."
Councilor Jeff Schneider said he agreed with Kell's timeline, and the floor was then opened up to the public for comments. Mark Eaton offered his support for the special election option as he is already gathering signatures for a vote on the franchise fee, and Linda Clark added that it would make "good common sense" to pursue a special election and have it on the same day as the franchise fee vote.
City Clerk Alicia Hunter then noted that if a special election is called on the franchise fee, the vacancy would automatically go on the same ballot if enough signatures are presented. Councilor Mike Ladehoff said he would be more inclined to have the seat on the general election ballot in November to give candidates time to think through whether they want to run and get out and campaign.
By Iowa Code, an appointment must be made within 60 days of the vacancy, and Kell urged the council not to rush the decision. He ultimately made a motion to proceed with the appointment option but with the caveat that the two-week posting window be moved back a week to start on July 5.
The motion carried 4-2 with Walker, who was attending the meeting via teleconference, experiencing technical difficulties and not being able to vote. Thompson and Ladehoff were the dissenting votes.
Mayor Joel Greer also took a moment before the meeting adjourned to commend Walker for his efforts as a public servant and wish him well in his next adventure.
"Dex Walker has been an exemplary city councilor, and while I'm glad for his family and him that he has this new job opportunity and the Statehouse down there is offering him an opportunity that they can't turn down... I really, personally, am gonna miss him and wish them the best," Greer said. "I wish he were still on to hear that, but I feel better telling the public how much he's meant to me as the mayor and, I think, to the rest of the council up here."
Hunter said the city will accept letters of interest from anyone living in the Third Ward who would like to be considered for appointment, and they should be mailed to City Hall at 24 N. Center St. during the posting period.
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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.