NAMPA, Idaho — Nampa’s mayoral seat will remain empty after the City Council failed to appoint a replacement during a special meeting on Wednesday morning. Council President David Bills will continue to serve as interim mayor.
The council is working to fill the seat left vacant after the sudden passing of Mayor Rick Hogaboam last month. With six council members voting and no mayor in place to break a tie, it takes four votes to appoint a new mayor.
WATCH Nampa City Council holds special meeting to discuss mayoral vacancy
During the meeting, the council voted against two candidates: former Mayor Debbie Kling and Chief of Staff Clay Long.
Bills said Kling sent a letter to the council asking to be considered for the role.
"At the same time, her letter also called for, if council said no, that she would recommend the council consider Clay Long, chief of staff," Bills said.
The motion to appoint Kling failed in a 4-2 vote. YES votes: Jangula, Reynolds. NO votes: Skaug, Griffin, Bills, Rodriguez.
The council then considered Long, who has served as chief of staff for both Hogaboam and Kling. Some council members raised concerns that Long does not currently live in Nampa, even though the motion would have given him time to relocate.
The motion to appoint Long also failed in a 4-2 vote. YES votes: Jangula, Bills. NO votes: Skaug, Griffin, Reynolds, Rodriguez.
After both motions failed, Councilman Sebastian Griffin suggested opening an application process so council members could interview candidates before making a decision.
"We have the potential of opening the book and having a really solid candidate, but we have questions that have been left unanswered, and this council isn't gonna hastily decide to put somebody in a leadership role that might send the city in a direction that we might not agree with, and the citizens of Nampa don't agree with," Griffin said.
City leaders have yet to set a date for their next vote.
The full meeting is available to watch below and on the 2C Neighborhood News Facebook page.
FULL VIDEO: Nampa City Council holds special meeting to discuss mayoral vacancy
READ MORE | City of Nampa holds memorial service for late Mayor Rick Hogaboam
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