Mountain View has a Council Vacancy: What's Next?
Karin Bricker | Published on 1/18/2023
Perspective from LAMV League
Councilmember Sally Lieber was elected to the State Board of Equalization in November and Mountain View’s City Attorney ruled that serving in both capacities would be a conflict of interest. Sally chose to resign from the MVCC.
The City Charter provides two options for filling the remaining two years of her term— Council Appointment within 30 days of resignation or an Election. The Council faced a difficult decision involving considerations of democratic representation, practicalities of governance and fiscal impact. As with most decisions, differing opinions were represented on the Council and within the Community.
At their January 5th meeting, the majority of the remaining six members chose the Appointment option. Here are some factors considered:
Election Option:
If the election option was chosen, the least expensive method would be to wait for the November 2023 General Election. That is an off year and it is not known how many other jurisdictions would add measures to the ballot for this consolidated election. If multiple measures were approved, Mountain View would be liable for costs of no less than 1.3 million dollars. If Mountain View’s election is the only measure on the ballot, the cost could rise to 2.1 million.
It is possible to call a Special Election on that one item as early as August, but the cost would be 2.1 million. Either election option has substantial budgetary costs and the office would remain vacant at least 6 months.
Appointment Option:
Appointing someone to the Council does not allow voters to choose their representative, but it would save both time and money.
Any resident registered to vote in Mountain View was eligible.
The application process closed January 18th.
Applicants will be interviewed individually— at a special public in person Council Meeting, in the Council Chambers 500 Castro Street, on Monday, January 30th, beginning at 5 p.m. Each interview will be 30 minutes long and every applicant will be asked the same preset questions.
This process will allow the new Councilmember to be sworn in on February 14th, at least six months sooner than any election option, giving citizens the full benefit of a complete seven member Council.
The League of Women Voters strongly supports Democracy, but also supports transparency in government and fiscal responsibility. The Council had a hard decision to make and chose to involve the public as much as possible, weighing the questions to be asked in a public forum and inviting the public to be present during the interviews.
We urge residents to attend the special Council Meeting on January 30th to hear from the applicants directly, staying fully informed.
Karin Bricker, League President