MINOT — A new mayor is about to move from one seat to another, leaving a vacancy on Minot’s City Council.
Alderman Tom Ross emerged the winner in a three-way race for mayor in the recent election, garnering 1,978 votes. Fellow challenger Miranda Schuler finished second with 1,357 votes, and incumbent mayor Shaun Sipma third with 1,216 votes.
Mayor-elect Ross will be officially seated Tuesday, June 28. That is also when his alderman’s seat becomes vacant. Ross’ term was scheduled to expire in 2024. He was elected alderman in 2020. The mayor and six aldermen comprise Minot’s City Council.
The question of how to fill the alderman’s chair that will become open later this month will likely be answered at a reorganizational meeting of City Council members. That meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. June 28 at City Hall, including Mayor Ross.
Section 2-18 of the City of Minot Code of Ordinances establishes procedures for vacant council positions:
“If a vacancy occurs in the office of alderman by death, resignation, or otherwise, the city may call a special election to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term or may after 15 days of the date of such vacancy appoint a person to fill such vacancy until the next city election, at which election the unexpired term shall be filled.”
The first City Council meeting following the 15-day notification period, if action is taken at the reorganization meeting, is scheduled for July 18. Minot’s City Council meetings are scheduled for the first and third Mondays of each month.
