Provo temporarily filling City Council vacancy

PROVO — Residents interested in a taste of public service without long-term commitment can apply to fill the vacancy created when embattled City Councilman Steven Turley resigned his post Sept. 27.

Turley, facing felony charges stemming from a Utah County Attorney's investigation, was not seeking re-election for his city-wide council post, so a replacement will be chosen in the Nov. 8 municipal election. The city is jumping through statutory hoops by inviting interested registered voters to apply to fill the seat temporarily, until the election winner takes office Jan. 3. That puts the appointed person in office for a brief 48 days.

The process may just put the election winner in office early, if the successful candidate on the November ballot is one of the applicants, because the city doesn't plan to make its appointment until a week after the election.

Both candidates on the November ballot said they were curious about the city's plans to fill the vacancy and were interested in applying to fill the temporary vacancy.

"I'd heard rumors about the particulars. I guess I already have applied by filing for candidacy, but if they're taking applications, I'll fill out one of those, too," Yancee M. Hardy said.

"We've been talking for a couple of days, wondering what the procedure would be," Gary Garrett said. "Now I know."

The city will take applications for the temporary post until Oct. 27, choose two applicants for final consideration Nov. 1, then choose one of those two Nov. 15 to fill the vacancy until Jan. 3.

Applicants should mail their letter of intent to Municipal Council Executive Director Matthew Taylor at P.O. Box 1849, Provo, UT 84603; email a letter to him at mtaylor@provo.utah.gov; or fax the letter to 801-852-6121.

E-mail: sfidel@desnews.com, Twitter: SteveFidel