The Jefferson County Council is looking for a recruit.
With Councilman Bob Boyer (District 3, Arnold) due to take over the county Assessor’s Office on Sept. 1, after winning the seat in November 2016, it’s up to the remaining council members to choose a replacement.
The person selected to fill the term will serve until Dec. 31, 2018. Then, the seat will be up for election in the November 2018 general election, after voters nominate Democratic and Republican candidates in the August 2018 primary.
Boyer, 35, was elected to the original County Council in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014.
A Republican, Boyer will replace Democrat Terry Roesch as assessor. Roesch opted not to run for another four-year term.
The winners of most county elections held last November took office on Jan. 1, but state law requires that assessors continue in office until the next September so that the reassessment process is not disrupted.
With Boyer’s time to take over as assessor drawing near, the council voted 6-0 at its June 26 meeting to adopt a formal procedure to replace him.
The council will take applications from interested candidates through July 31, and interviews with applicants are scheduled for Aug. 7 in a closed council meeting.
Council chairwoman Renee Reuter (District 2, Imperial) said she hopes that a replacement will be approved and then sworn in at the Aug. 28 meeting.
“We want this process to be fair and open,” she said. “We’re hoping that we can get someone in here quickly so that there’s no time the district won’t be represented.”
Under the county charter, because Boyer was elected as a Republican, his replacement also must declare affiliation with that political party.
Those who apply must be at least 24 years old, be a registered voter in the county, be a U.S. citizen for at least 12 months and a resident of District 3 for the same time period.
District 3 includes most of the city of Arnold and unincorporated areas to the south and west of the city.
Also, applicants must not have unpaid state income taxes, personal property taxes, municipal taxes or real estate taxes.
People who are registered sex offenders or who have been guilty of a felony or misdemeanor under federal law or a felony under state law also are prohibited.
Council members are currently paid $10,978 per year.
Once the new council member is sworn in, he or she will be the 12th person to serve on the board and the first to be appointed rather than elected.
“It’s been a pleasure serving with Bob over these seven years,” Reuter said. “I’m looking forward to serving with the person who will take his place as well.”
An application packet may be found with this story. Information on how to file the application can be found inside it.