With a deadline just three days away, the Dublin City Council must finally decide how to fill the recent vacancy left by David Haubert’s election as mayor in November. The council will convene tonight at 7 p.m. to either make an appointment or opt hold a special election. In accordance with state law, the decision must be made by Jan. 30—60 days after Haubert’s inauguration.
This is not the first time the council has attempted to resolve the issue. It reached an impasse last month with a split over who to appoint. Council Members Don Biddle and Kevin Hart voted to appoint former planning commissioner Doreen Wehrenberg to the seat, while the mayor and Council Member Abe Gupta voted for schoolboard vice president Dan Cunningham.
There are a total of 12 people under consideration. To win the seat, an individual must garner at least three votes. They would serve until the end of Haubert’s term in 2016. If the council can’t reach a consensus on any of the candidates tonight, a special election can be called instead. It would take place in June at an estimated cost of $160,230 to $274,680.
Read more about tonight’s meeting here.