Grand Rapids Reporter

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and City Commissioners today announced a formal process for filling the Third Ward vacancy on the City Commission.

This morning, City Clerk Joel Hondorp shared a proposed timeline and appointment process for selecting a new Third Ward representative to replace the retired Nathaniel Moody as Commissioner. The Grand Rapids City Commission agreed with Hondorp’s plan, stating that they are committed to an open and transparent appointment process.

• Interested individuals can apply to the City Clerk now through 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office at https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/vacancy. Applicants should submit the completed application form, a resume, one professional reference, two personal references and the completed essay questions. No late applications will be accepted. All applications will be reviewed by the City Clerk to ensure eligibility.
• The Committee on Appointments will review the applications on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The Committee will then interview applicants Tuesday, Feb. 20 and recommend three final candidates to the full City Commission.
• The full City Commission expects to interview the final three candidates in public session Tuesday, March 5.  The City Commission will discuss the candidates and possibly vote at that meeting. If the City Commission needs additional time or discussion, a final decision is anticipated Tuesday, March 19. The selected candidate will be sworn in immediately following the selection.
• The public will have the opportunity to provide candidate feedback to the City Commission at its regular public comment periods during the February 20 and March 5 meetings.

Mayor Bliss again thanked Moody for his service to the community saying, “Commissioner Moody left us with large shoes to fill, but I am hopeful we will attract strong candidates to serve the remaining ten months of his term.”

A City Commissioner for the City of Grand Rapids is an elected officer within the City’s governmental structure, as established by the City Charter. The voters of Grand Rapids elect commissioners to serve four-year terms of office. The four-year term for this vacant position began January 1, 2021, and expires December 31, 2024. In order to remain in this position after December 31, 2024, the individual appointed to fill Moody’s vacant position, must run in the next non-partisan primary, which is August 6, 2024.  Petition packets may be obtained in the City Clerk’s Office.  No commitment to run for re-election is expected from applicants for appointment to the uncompleted term.

An appointee to this vacancy must be a resident of the city for six months or more immediately prior to the date of appointment, and must be a registered and qualified elector of the Third Ward at the time of appointment.

The salary for this position is established by the Local Officers Compensation Commission, which meets in odd-numbered years.  The annual salary of this office is currently set at $32,550.

Questions regarding the appointment or election process should be directed to the City Clerk at 616-456-3010 or cityclerk@grcity.us.

Original source can be found here.