Council Vacancy

Appointment process and timeline

The purpose of this memorandum is to outline the process and timeline to fill the upcoming vacancy on Columbus City Council due to the pending departure of Councilmember Shayla Favor (District 7). In order to provide appropriate notice and guidance to the public and to minimize the time the council seat remains vacant, it is necessary to establish a process and timeline to fill the vacancy.

In accordance with the public meeting requirements of the Columbus City Charter and Ohio Revised Code, I am proposing the following procedures and timeline, which are largely consistent with past practice. This includes a public hearing on the appointment per the 2018 changes to the Columbus City Charter.

Also, per the 2018 changes to the Columbus City Charter, applicants must have resided in the district (Residential District Map) the departing council member represents for one year.

The City Clerk will work with council staff to immediately publicize and implement the following:

Timeline and procedures

Thursday, November 14, 2024 – Monday, December 9, 2024

  • Applicants must apply at columbus.gov/councilvacancy. Application materials must be received by Monday, December 9, 2024, at 12 p.m. This will fulfill the requirement set forward in Columbus City Code section 111.35(A).
  • All information submitted by the applicants is considered public record and shall be made available upon request.
  • Members of council may, at their discretion begin to schedule individual interviews with applicants for the council vacancy.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 – Thursday, December 12, 2024

  • After reviewing all application materials and conducting any individual interviews, each member of council shall submit to the city clerk the names of no more than three (3) applicants who shall receive further consideration. The city clerk shall compile a list of all applicant names submitted who henceforth shall be considered finalists for the vacancy. The clerk shall then share the names of the finalists with the members of council and immediately notify the finalists via email.
  • The names of applicants who will receive further consideration, and any associated communications, shall be made available in original form upon request.

Friday, December 13, 2024

  • Columbus City Council will notify the public of the finalists.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 5 p.m.

  • City Council will conduct a public hearing on December 18 to hear comment from the public on the list of finalists being considered for the vacancy created by the departure of Councilmember Shayla Favor.
  • Finalists may, but are not required to, offer three (3) minutes of remarks.
  • Members of the public who wish to provide testimony, either in-person or written, should email Kevin McCain at KBMccain@columbus.gov with the subject line “Speaking at Vacancy Public Hearing” by noon on the day of the hearing.
  • Public speakers will be called in the order of receipt and will be given three minutes to address Council. Remarks should be limited to the subject of finalists being considered to fill the vacancy on Council. Standard rules for speaking before Columbus City Council apply.
  • At the conclusion of the hearing, Council may enter into executive session to discuss candidates and public testimony. No straw polls or votes may be taken during executive session.

Early 2025

  • During a regular council meeting, council members shall nominate applicants for the vacancy created by the departure of Councilmember Shayla Favor and vote to appoint a new member.
  • If a majority of council members vote to appoint a nominee, he or she shall then be eligible to be sworn in under oath and take office pursuant to Section 5 of the City Charter and Section 111.35 of Columbus City Code.

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