UPDATE: 2nd seat vacant on Rice Lake City Council

The agenda for the Rice Lake City Council's Tuesday regular meeting was amended on Friday to remove consideration of addressing the District 1 seat currently held by Stephen Brown.

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When the Rice Lake City Council meets on Tuesday it will be addressing a second vacancy among the ranks of the members.

Stephen Brown, who represents District 1, is currently unable to serve on the City Council.

The council may decide at its upcoming regular meeting on Tuesday to declare a temporary vacancy of the District 1 seat until Brown is able to return to his position. If the council approves the timeline as proposed, interested candidates may submit their names through 1 p.m. on May 8 for appointment at the May 14 meeting.

Brown’s term runs through April 2025.

In the past the council has asked interested candidates to present themselves to the council during a meeting. They are given three minutes at the podium to introduce themselves before the council discusses their nominations.

The council chooses the successful nominee. While secret ballots are not permitted, the council could choose to vote by paper ballots although they must be signed and are considered public record.

At its reorganizational meeting held on Tuesday, the council declared Harlan Dodge’s seat in District 3 vacant as he has been elected mayor.

The mayor and clerk will accept names of qualified citizens to serve as the District 3 representative through 1 p.m. on May 8 for council consideration. An appointment will be made at the May 14 regular meeting, at which time the successful candidate will be sworn in and take their seat. The new council member would serve until April 2025.