HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2015-12-31 Mayoral Appointment Process
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
Leesburg Town Council to Discuss Interim Appointment of
Mayor at January 11, 2016, Work Session
The Town Council may appoint a Mayor at the January 12, 2016, regular Council
meeting.
Leesburg, VA (December 31, 2015) – Effective January 1, 2016, a vacancy in the office of Mayor
of the Town of Leesburg will exist as the result of former Mayor Kristen Umstattd’s election to
the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. Beginning on January 1, 2016, Vice Mayor Kelly Burk
will perform the duties of the Mayor until the Town Council makes an interim appointment of
Mayor.
Under the terms of the Town Charter and the Virginia State Code, the remaining members of
the Town Council have 90 days in which to make an interim appointment of Mayor, who will
serve until a Mayor is elected in the November 2016 local election. This interim appointment
must be made by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Council. At least four
Council Members must agree to appoint either a sitting Council Member or a qualified voter of
the election district. If the Council cannot agree on whom to appoint within 90 days, they must
petition the Circuit Court to make the appointment. No special electi on will occur unless the
Council appoints as Mayor a Council Member whose terms ends in 2018. In that case, a special
election will be held to fill the council seat vacated by the new Mayor.
The Town Council is expected to discuss the interim appointment of Mayor at their January 11,
2016, work session, with possible action at their January 12, 2016, regular meeting.
For more information about the mayoral appointment process, visit the Town website at
www.leesburgva.gov/how-do-i/browse-documents/-folder-1111.
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