Governor extends deadline to fill Marion City Council vacancy amid coronavirus concerns

MARION - The Marion City Council postponed interviewing and appointing a new council member Thursday after the governor extended the 60-day requirement to fill the vacancy.

Starting Friday, the city is closing Marion City Hall and all other municipal facilities to the public. City council meetings between Friday and April 23 will be held electronically.

Before the council meeting Thursday evening, when council members expected to interview six applicants for the council seat, the city received word from Gov. Kim Reynold's office that she would extend the 60 day requirement to fill Marion's at-large council seat.

The vacancy occurred when council member Paul Draper, 85, died Feb. 6.

The council now is tentatiely planning to interview the applicants April 23.

On that date - or whenever the council applicants are interviewed - the council will give each applicant an opportunity to make a statement before conducting a public interview.

The vote for the new member will be by ballot.

The person appointed to the at-large seat will serve until the next municipal election in November 2021. At that time, they will have the option of running for election.

The candidates are Grant Harper, Destiny Hastings, Michael Kibler, Dale Monroe, Steven Moshier and Phillip Seidl.

Council members receive a $5,018 annual stipend.

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