EVERETT — The Lake Stevens City Council swore in a new member Tuesday.
Nathan Packard replaced Kurt Hilt in the Position 7 seat. Hilt filled the role in July after the previously elected council member, Marcus Tageant, unexpectedly passed. Packard earned the seat in the November general election.
Hilt was appointed to the council with the expectation he’d serve until the end of 2025, according to council member Ryan Donoghue during the Nov. 18 City Council special meeting. However, state law requires elected members fill a council vacancy once they are certified.
“Goodbye and thank you to council member Hilt. Goodbye in the sense that you will no longer be joining us here, but I’m sure we’ll see you around,” Donoghue said. “You stepped in at a very difficult time for the council when we were dealing with not just a work loss but a personal loss too. So we really appreciate that.”
Hilt also said his goodbyes during the Nov. 18 meeting.
“Thank you to the council for giving your confidence in me,” Hilt said. “Marcus was a good friend. I learned a lot from him.”
Mayor Brett Gailey swore in Packard on Tuesday.
“I know Nathan has put in a lot of time prepping for this position,” Gailey said after the swearing-in ceremony. “A well-deserved nod by the voters.”
Packard joined the council with his family in attendance.
“I’m grateful to be here. Thank you for the welcome,” he said.
Other newly elected council members will begin their service in the new year.
Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay
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