Contrary to what City officials originally thought, a special election will be required this November to determine who will fill the City Commission seat left vacant by the death of Larry Maglinger. The current City Commission will still choose an interim replacement in the coming weeks, with that person holding the seat through the end of 2023.
City officials previously announced that whoever was chosen in the interim would serve through the end of Maglinger’s term, which would have ended December 31, 2024.
City Attorney Mark Pfiefer said Tuesday they initially believed that was appropriate given the Kentucky League of Cities Legal Handbook provides the following statement: “Ultimately elections to fill a vacant city office seat can only be held in those years in which a city office is on the ballot.”
With no city offices on the ballot in 2023, officials thought that meant no special election could be held for the vacant seat this year. However, they were advised differently earlier on Tuesday.
“After a phone conference with the Kentucky League of Cities, we were advised that the above sentence was incorrect and was mistakenly included in the legal handbook. As a result, it is now clear that the appointment for Commissioner will only be for the rest of this year and an election will have to be held in November for the rest of Commissioner Maglinger’s term,” he said.
Everyone who has already applied to fill the vacancy for now has already been notified, city officials said. Applications will continue to be accepted until May 11 at 5 p.m. Applications are available here or can be picked up at City Hall during business hours.
All applicants will be interviewed during a Special Called Meeting of the City Commission at 6 p.m. on May 16. That meeting will be open to the public.
