‘This is a circus’: Arvin City Council seat could stay vacant for 2 years

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Tensions were high and sparks flew at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. Residents demanded to know why it’s taking so long to fill a vacant seat.

Time is running out to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Councilman Juan Murillo. The council has only 42 days left to appoint someone.

“This is a circus! This needs to stop,” said Arvin Mayor Daniel Borreli.

The last council meeting of September was nothing short of fireworks, with people claiming attacks, and a lot of use of the gavel.

The seat previously held by Juan Murillo has now been empty for 80 days. There was no sight of him in the chambers either.

Arvin residents are tired of the council not taking action, but the city says, this is unprecedented.

“This is the first time that a vacant seat has come so close to an election, and there have already been two council members appointed, so it makes it a little bit trickier,” said Arvin City Attorney Nathan Hodges.

Why trickier?

Well, to fill Murillo’s seat, one council member needs to leave.

“For an appointment to move forward, one council member would need to resign, either council member Tarver or Mayor Borreli,” said Nathan Hodges, “Otherwise the majority of the council would be appointees, and that’s not allowed by the law.”

But with neither Tarver and Borreli agreeing to resign, sights are now set on elections.
But holding a special election doesn’t seem like a good option either.

“However, we’re too close to an election date, so they would have to wait until the 2026 election to fill the vacancy through that process,” said Nathan Hodges.

With the cost of $28 thousand to hold special elections on its own, the City of Arvin hopes they can use a Regular Scheduled Election through Kern County to choose its next council member.
Taking no action in Tuesday’s meeting.

“Council requested additional information concerning whether there’s a differentiation between a regular election and a general election,” said Nathan Hodges.

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