Abilene Real Life Adventure - Want to be a City Commissioner? Here is How

Abilene Real Life Adventure - What to be a City Commissioner? Here is How

The City Commission of the City of Abilene, Kansas will accept Statements of Interest from individuals interested in serving on the governing body to fill a vacancy created by Commissioner John Ray’s recent resignation. Statements of Interest are available for pickup at City Hall, located at 419 N. Broadway Street, or may be downloaded from the City’s website at www.abilenecityhall.com.

Statements of Interest are due to the City Clerk by 12:00 pm on July 5, 2016 and may be hand delivered to the City Clerk at City Hall located at 419 N. Broadway Street in Abilene, Kansas or submitted by email to cityclerk@abilenecityhall.com.

The City Commission will begin reviewing Statements of Interest at a Special Meeting scheduled for 4:30 pm on July 5, 2016 at City Hall located at 419 N. Broadway Street. Interested candidates are welcome to attend this meeting. A normally scheduled study session will follow the special meeting.

The term of office will begin immediately following appointment by the City Commission and the oath of office, and will expire in January 2018 when the newly elected Commissioners are seated unless the individual decides to run for elected office and is elected in the General Election in November 2017.

The process for filling a vacancy on the governing body is defined by Charter Ordinance No. 25, which states that “in case of a vacancy in the office of commissioner occurring by reason of resignation, death, or removal from office or from the city, the mayor, by and with the consent of a majority of the remaining commissioners, shall appoint a qualified elector of the city to fill the vacancy until the next election for that office.”

To qualify for the vacancy, an individual must reside in the corporate limits of the City of Abilene and be registered to vote.

The City Commission must make the appointment by August 12, 2016, or the governing body will have to adopt a resolution calling for a special election to allow electors to fill the vacancy pursuant to state law.

Questions may be directed to City Manager David Dillner at (785) 263­2550.