(Atlantic) Two prospective candidates will be interviewed on Wednesday, September 24, to fill the open at-large city council seat. Harlan “Lee” Sisco, and Jeremy Butler submitted letters of interest for the vacant seat, left open by the resignation of Gerald Bring on September 1, 2025.
The Iowa League of Cities advised that it is too close to the 2025 general election to call for a special election. As a result, the only available option is to fill the vacancy by appointment. The appointee will serve until the next general election, scheduled for November 4, 2025. Butler has filed papers to run for the at-large seat in the November election.
To proceed with the appointment, the City was required to publish a public notice in a local newspaper for a minimum of four days and a maximum of 20 days before the Council could take action. This notice informed the public of the Council’s intention to fill the vacancy by appointment. It also opened a 60-day window for the City to make the appointment. The notice was published and posted within the required timeline.
To prepare the Council agenda and ensure proper procedure, the City confirmed with Mickey Shields of the Iowa League of Cities that this approach—where no reverse referendum or petition for a special election is allowed—is appropriate due to the upcoming regularly scheduled election in November.
The public was invited to submit letters of interest for the vacancy.
The next step is to conduct public interviews with the candidates. Each candidate will receive a floor vote. Interviews and voting will follow the order in which the letters of interest were received.
Once a candidate receives a majority vote, they will be named the official nominee for the position. The Council will not be allowed to grant a majority vote to any other candidate on the agenda or to a candidate who did not submit a letter of interest.
After a resolution is passed naming the new Councilmember, they must complete the required action by the Council. The new Councilmember will then be sworn in and may immediately begin their duties.
During the Council meeting, Mr. Harlan “Lee” Sisco, and Jeremy Butler will be interviewed. Afterward, the Council may make an informed decision to appoint the most qualified individual to the vacant At-Large seat.
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
