City Council has to appoint James Hardy's replacement. How does that work?

• Akron City Council has 30 days to find and elect Hardy's replacement.
• This is the second vacancy on council this year.

Akron City Council has a vacancy to fill for the second time this year. How are they going to do it?

On Monday, Ward 8 Councilman James Hardy tendered his resignation to council effective immediately. In January, Nancy Holland resigned as Ward 1 representative and Samuel DeShazior was appointed in her place.

"Recent developments in my professional life have made it impossible for me to provide the time and responsiveness I planned to bring to Ward 8 as its council representative," Hardy said in a statement emailed by Council Chief of Staff Joan Williams. "Fairlawn Heights, Northwest Akron, Wallhaven, and Merriman Valley each expect and deserve more attention than I will be able to provide going forward."

What happens now? How will council choose his replacement? Here's what we know:

When is the deadline to fill the vacant Akron seat?

Council now has 30 days to appoint a replacement. According to a resolution passed by City Council during its Monday meeting, council will pick Hardy's replacement from a pool of applicants on July 29.

If council doesn't fill the seat in 30 days, the mayor appoints someone.

Who can apply for the position?

Applicants who have resided in Ward 8 for the past year can submit their résumé and letter of interest to the clerk of council at sbiviano@akronohio.gov by 12 p.m. on July 22.

Who is taking over James Hardy's duties in the meantime?

Until a new council representative is selected, Ward 8 residents can contact At-Large Councilman Jeff Fusco at atlarge1@akronohio.gov or 330-208-5561.

How has City Council filled vacancies in the past?

In Holland's case, council formed a selection committee that held closed-door interviews with applicants after the application deadline closed. Then, after deciding on a candidate, the committee presented its choice to all of council, which then votes on the applicant.

How long will James Hardy's replacement hold office in Akron?

That depends on Ward 8's voters.

While Akron's ward representatives are elected to four-year terms, Section 28 of the City Charter states that if there is more than half of a representative's term remaining when they resign, the appointed replacement must compete in the next election cycle to keep their seat.

"Ward 8 voters will get a chance to elect a permanent replacement in 2025, beginning in May with the primary election," Hardy wrote.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com or 330-541-9413