MILL CREEK — The City Council has sent another one of its own to higher office.
And that means an appointment looms for a soon-to-be-empty seat.
Jared Mead plans to step down from the council on the last day of the year. In January, he’s due to be sworn in as a state House representative in the 44th Legislative District.
“It’s a little bittersweet,” Mead said last week after the final council meeting of the year. “On the one hand, I’m going to miss working with my Mill Creek team on the local issues that (affect) my hometown, but on the other hand, I’m excited to continue fighting for my community from the state level.”
The city has started accepting applications for people wishing to fill Mead’s seat in council Position No. 2.
An application packet is available online at www.cityofmillcreek.com/councilvacancies or in person at City Hall, 16728 Main St.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Jan. 31.
Under state law, candidates must have been a resident of Mill Creek for at least one year immediately before the application. Candidates must be registered to vote within city limits.
The remaining six council members plan to start interviewing applicants at 6 p.m. Feb. 5. Depending on the number of applicants, interviews could extend to future meetings. The appointment will last until a winner is certified in the November election to fill out the unexpired two years of the term.
Mill Creek City Council has proven to be something of a launching pad for higher office.
In the November election, Mead, a Democrat, defeated Republican incumbent Mark Harmsworth for the House seat. Harmsworth also is a Mill Creek council alum. So is John Lovick, the other representative in the 44th Legislative District. Snohomish County Councilman Terry Ryan was a long-time city councilman before seeking his current post.
In February, the City Council appointed John Steckler to fill a vacancy created after the resignation of Councilman Sean Kelly, who had continued to serve on the council despite moving to a different city.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.