MEDIA RELEASE

Date: May 3, 2023 – For Immediate Release

 

OWENSBORO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

ELECTED OFFICE VACANCY UPDATE

 

KRS 83A.040 and the Kentucky Constitution set forth the requirements and procedures for filling the vacancies in elected city offices.  At this time, the Owensboro Board of Commissioners has a vacancy.  In order to fill the vacancy within the prescribed timeframe, the Board of Commissioners will move forward with accepting applications as written in the attached “Vacancy Procedures”.  Applications will be available at www.owensboro.org or can be picked up at City Hall, 101 E. 4^th Street (Monday-Friday, 8 :00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)  Applications can be returned to City Hall or emailed to [email protected]. The application deadline is May 11, 2023 by 5:00 p.m.   

As described in the attached “Vacancy Procedures”, applicants will be interviewed during a Special Called Meeting of the Owensboro Board of Commissioners on May 16, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be open to the public. 

Upon further review of state procedures, the new commissioner selected by the Board of Commissioners at the Special Called meeting on May 16 will serve through December 31, 2023. There will then be a special election in November to determine who serves the second and final year of the term in 2024.

For additional information contact City Manager Nate Pagan at [email protected] or 270-687-4444

 

 

 

 

OWENSBORO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS VACANCY PROCEDURES

(A) The state statutes provide for the election and term of members of local legislative bodies.

(B) If a vacancy occurs within the membership of the legislative body, KRS 83A.040 shall govern and the following procedures will be followed unless amended by a majority vote of the Owensboro Board of Commissioners:

(1) The City Clerk will notify the Board of Commissioners and the public of the vacancy and set a deadline of ten (10) calendar days for applicants who are interested in filling the vacancy to file an Application with the Clerk. (If the 10th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the deadline will be extended to the next business day.)

(2) Copies of received applications will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners. The appointment of a replacement member will be placed as an item on the agenda for a special called meeting of the Owensboro Board of Commissioners.

(3) Interviews of applicants will be conducted during a special called meeting. Each applicant will be provided an opportunity to give an introductory statement followed by answering relevant questions about their interest and priorities in serving.

(4) Immediately following interviews, the Board of Commissioners will vote to select a replacement member. The Clerk will call the roll and the Mayor and Commissioners will name his or her choice. The applicant with the most votes shall be appointed.

(5) The newly appointed Commission member will then be sworn in by the Mayor or Clerk and their appointment will become effective immediately thereafter.

(C) If no appointment is made within 30 days of the effective date of the vacancy, then the vacancy shall be filled by the Governor of Kentucky pursuant to KRS 83A.040.

(D) The remaining appointment rules will follow the Kentucky Constitution Section 152.

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