Title
A Resolution Calling a Special Election or Affirming the Decision to Fill the Council Member Seat Vacant by the Election of Mayor Barbara Foushee by Appointment
PURPOSE: The purpose of this item is to allow the Town Council to discuss and decide to call a special election or go through the process of appointment to fill the vacancy on the Town Council that was created upon Mayor Foushee assuming the office of Mayor.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Town Clerk
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Wendy Welsh, Interim Town Clerk, wwelsh@carrboronc.gov
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Information
INFORMATION: Mayor Barbara Foushee was elected as Mayor while still serving as Council Member for the Town of Carrboro. At the time of the Mayor's swearing-in, the seat on the Town Council became vacant with an unexpired term of December 2025. Pursuant to Section 2-2 (f) of the Town Code, as authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly, the Town Council has the authority to fill that vacant seat by an appointment process or by calling a special election as authorized by the general Assembly in the 2013 session.
The Town Council has directed the Town Clerk to provide a resolution calling for a special election that will be held on March 5, 2024 in conjunction with the General Primary Election and a resolution affirming the decision to fill the vacancy by appointment. The Council will decide which method they will use to fill the vacancy. If the Town Council foregoes the special election on December 5th and does not fill the seat by appointment, the seat can remain vacant, or a special election can be called at a later date.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: A special election will require contracting with Orange County Board of Elections to organize and operate the election. Since there is already a Presidential Primary planned for the election date, the estimated cost associated with the Town of Carrboro is zero dollars if the decision is made on December 5, 2023. An appoi...
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