Banning City Council Votes To Appoint New Councilmember
BANNING, CA —The Banning City Council voted to fill the District 4 vacancy at this week’s city council meeting. The seat was vacated by former Council Member Reuben Gonzales and will be filled through appointment, the council decided Tuesday.
City Manager Doug Schulze spoke on the decision in a recent news release. Applications for the vacancy are available at www.banningca.gov.
Staff will schedule one or more special meetings prior to February 10th, during which the Council will consider candidates for appointment and make a selection, according to the city.
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“The City Council had 4 options this evening to choose from,” Schulze said. “I’m glad they were able to reach a consensus tonight to move our city forward.”
Councilmember Gonzales was elected in November 2022 and began his term of office in December, according to the release. At the time of his resignation, he was serving the first half of his four-year term.
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The City Council, having filled the vacancy by appointment, will allow the newly appointed council member to serve as a representative for District 4 until the General election in November.
Administrative City Clerk Caroline Patton further explained the vacancy-filling process.
“Government Code Section 36512(b)(2)(A) states that if the vacancy occurs in the first half of the term and at least 130 days prior to the next general municipal election, which will occur November 5, 2024, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold office until the next general municipal election,” Patton wrote in a statement. “The person appointed will hold office until the person who is elected to fill the vacancy at the November 5, 2024, election has been qualified. The person elected on November 5th to fill the vacancy will then hold the District 4 City Council of former Councilmember Gonzales’ unexpired term through December 2026.”
Staff will schedule one or more special meetings prior to February 10th, during which the council will consider candidates for appointment and make a selection. Per Banning Municipal Code Section 2.04.035(B)(2), any candidate for appointment to District 4 must reside in and be registered to vote in District 4, which is generally the area between
Highland Springs Road and San Gorgonio Avenue north of Wilson Street.
“The City Council had to weigh many factors in determining the next course of action to fill the vacancy left behind by former Council Member Gonzales,” stated Mayor Alberto Sanchez. “I feel incredibly confident that our council will find a viable candidate who will represent the constituents of District 4 with integrity and honesty!”
For additional information or questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 951-922-3102.
Related:
Banning City Councilmember Reuben Gonzales Resigns
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