Procedure for filling a city council vacancy

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Councilwoman Carol Berz passed away last Wednesday at the age of 63 according to the city due to natural causes.

She had served on the city council for District 6 for the past 15 years.

She had announced she was running for re-election this March.

However, with her passing, her seat is now vacant.

According to Chattanooga Municipal Code, to fill a vacant seat is a two step process.

In the short term, the remaining 10 council members can appoint someone to temporarily fill the seat by a simple majority.

This person must meet the qualifications of being a city council member.

These are two things:

First, they must be 21 years old.

Second, they must have lived in their district for a year.

If and when a person is appointed to the open position, they would serve until an election is held.

The next scheduled municipal election is on March 4-th, as candidate qualifying is open for that race.

According to the Hamilton County Election Commission, Councilwoman Berz had just qualified to run in that race last Tuesday, a day before her death.

Five other candidates; Jenni Berz, Jennifer Gregory, Christian Siler, Cherie Thompson, and Robert Wilson have picked up papers to run, but have either not turned them in or have yet been approved to be on the ballot.

The qualifying deadline for these candidates to appear on the ballot is this Thursday.

The Chattanooga City Council does have a scheduled meeting tomorrow.

News 12 sends our condolences to the Berz family.