Catherine Ushka’s death leaves void on City Council. These rules dictate how it’s filled
The City of Tacoma announced the death of City Council Member Catherine Ushka in a news release on Thursday morning. Ushka, 55, represented District 4 since being elected in 2017, and, after being reelected, was selected to serve as deputy mayor in 2022.
As her colleagues mourn her passing, they also must begin the process of filling her seat.
How does that happen?
According to the City Council rules of procedure, the council officially must declare a member’s position vacant following any of the causes set forth in the Washington State law, including resignation, recall or death of the council member.
Once the council member’s position is declared vacant, the city manager is tasked with beginning an appointment process and establishing a schedule for interviews and appointment schedule to fill the position at the earliest opportunity, according to the rules of procedure.
The City Council has 60 days to appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy after the appointment process has begun. If the council is unable to fill the vacancy within the given time, the mayor will then make the appointment.
If the City of Tacoma is unable to confirm the appointment of a person to fill a vacancy within 90 days, appointment power will be delegated to the Pierce County Council following RCW 42.12.170, according to the rules of procedure document.
In accordance with Washington law, the person appointed to fill the vacancy would serve for the remainder of the unexpired term. Ushka’s term was scheduled to expire December 2025.
Eligible candidates must meet the following requirements:
be qualified to vote in the City of Tacoma
be a resident of the City of Tacoma for two years before the time of applying to fill the open seat
if applying for a district position, the candidate shall be a resident of the district for one year before the time of appointment to fill the open seat.
This story was originally published May 16, 2024 at 3:02 PM.
