Councilwoman Chauna Banks wants to amend the procedure for filling vacancies on the Metro Council, enabling qualified residents to submit an application to be considered for appointment to the vacated seat.
The Metro Council is expected to vote on her proposal at its meeting Wednesday.
The current vacancy-filling process calls for Metro Council members to appoint a replacement, who must be approved by majority vote, within 20 days from the date of vacancy.
Banks’ proposal would amend the procedure to add a new section, which, in part, reads: “Each person who has submitted an application and who meets the qualifications for the office shall be considered as nominated for the position, along with any person nominated by a member of the Metropolitan Council.”
Controversy erupted in July over the process for filling vacant council seats, following the sudden death of Republican Councilman Buddy Amoroso. Four Democratic council members—including Banks—refused to vote on any candidate to replace the late councilman, a move interpreted as an opportunity to try to appoint a Democrat to represent the conservative district.
Amoroso’s widow, Denise Amoroso, was appointed to his seat by majority vote, which included the six Republican council members and Democrat Tara Wicker, who refused to join her council counterparts in abstaining.
While many viewed the Democrats’ abstention as an insensitive, political power play, the debate sparked a deeper discussion over whether it’s time for the council to do away with the tradition of giving preference to spouses to fill vacant seats and instead take the opportunity to allow for more diversity on the council.
Banks says her proposed amendment would provide “more buy-in from the entire community and a more unified method” to fill vacant seats.
“I don’t think our community should have such contention when comes to these vacancies,” she says. “We’re limiting the ability for people to have input in the selection process.”
Banks’ proposal came up for public hearing at the Aug. 22 council meeting, but she deferred the item to allow the Plan of Government Amendment Committee to review her proposed changes.
