Englewood outlines expedited process to fill District 3 council vacancy by Sept. 27
After Mayor Pro Tem Joe Anderson’s death, officials proposed a one-week application period and a possible Sept. 23 appointment meeting to meet the city charter’s deadline.
Englewood officials are planning an expedited process to appoint a replacement for District 3 by Sept. 27, following the Aug. 28 death of Mayor Pro Tem Joe Anderson.
The city’s announcement of Anderson’s death identified him as the District 3 representative. Under Section 28 of Englewood’s Home Rule Charter, the remaining council members must choose a qualified replacement by majority vote within 30 days after an elective office becomes vacant.
The city had not published a vacancy notice or application form as of Sept. 3. At a Sept. 2 agenda-setting meeting, staff outlined a tentative schedule:
- Sept. 9: Post the vacancy and open applications.
- Sept. 16: Close applications.
- Sept. 17 or 18: Provide applications to the council.
- Sept. 21: Review applicants and decide how many to interview.
- Sept. 22 and possibly Sept. 23: Interview candidates.
- That week, possibly Sept. 23: Hold a special meeting to appoint the replacement.
The schedule was discussed as a proposal, not adopted meeting action. The Sept. 9 agenda-setting notice, Sept. 16 notice and Sept. 23 notice do not confirm a vacancy application period, interviews or a special appointment meeting.
Who can apply
The charter requires a council applicant to be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old and a registered Englewood elector for the preceding year. For a district seat, the applicant also must be a resident and registered elector of that district. Council members may not hold another compensated public office or municipal employment.
The city had not published an application checklist, submission method, deadline time or required materials, such as a résumé or proof of residency, as of Sept. 3.
The appointee will serve until a successor is elected for the remainder of the term at the next general municipal election and qualifies, according to the charter. Anderson’s city profile listed the District 3 term as expiring in November 2027. The city’s council webpage still listed him as the District 3 representative when checked Sept. 3.
Mayor pro tem decision remains unsettled
The council also must address the mayor pro tem position Anderson held. Staff said the charter requires the council to elect a mayor pro tem after each general municipal election and that the council chooses the position. Officials discussed delaying the election out of respect for Anderson; Sept. 8 and Sept. 14 were mentioned as possible dates. Waiting until the new District 3 appointee is sworn in Oct. 5 was also raised.
No final date was established in the Sept. 2 discussion. Section 25 of the charter does not set a separate deadline for filling the position after a midterm vacancy.
District 3 residents should watch the city’s City Council meeting portal for the official application notice and any special-meeting posting. Until the council makes the appointment, the district remains without its elected council representative.