Alliance City Councilwoman Mara Andersen has tendered her resignation, effective March 5, forfeiting her seat on the Alliance City Council.
The resignation was confirmed by Alliance City Clerk Shelbi Pitt, who noted that Andersen is expected to move out of state.
“Mara gave us a letter of resignation, with her resignation date as March 5,” said Pitt. “So, per state statute, the City Council has to appoint someone to fill the term from her resignation date to the November election.”
Applications are being accepted until March 25, Pitt explained. At the first meeting in April, the council will appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the first meeting in December. Pitt said that on the general election ballot, voters will be able to choose someone to serve the remaining two years of Andersen’s term.
Before Andersen’s resignation, voters were expected to elect people to three positions on the Alliance City Council: two four-year terms, currently held by Vice Mayor John McGhehey and Councilman Brian Mischnick, who has not filed for re-election, and a two-year term, which was held by Mayor Mike Dafney until he submitted his resignation. The position is currently held by Mayor Earl Jones, who has not filed for re-election. Now, voters will be given the opportunity to elect people to those three positions, as well as Andersen’s remaining term.
Pitt explained that the City Council passed a resolution at their meeting on February 20 to add the position to the ballot in the general election. She said that the deadline for candidates to file will be July 15, 2024 for the incumbent and August 1, 2024 for non-incumbents.
“Once we accept Mara’s resignation on Tuesday, the council will then have a notice posting Wednesday in the paper for that seat to be filled until the first meeting in December,” Pitt said.