Councilman Ralph Menke submitted his letter of retirement from public service this week to Fernley Mayor Todd Cutler.
Serving the residents of Fernley for more than nine years, first as a Town board member then as a city council member, Councilman Menke said he is taking the action now to allow a replacement the opportunity to file for candidacy by the May deadline.
"I am proud to have been allowed to serve the good people of Fernley since July 1999, representing Ward Five residents, and all residents. My service as city councilman has truly been an education, at times very satisfying, and always challenging," Menke stated in a letter to the residents of Fernley, the mayor and fellow council members.
Councilman Menke's departure creates a vacancy on the five-member city council.
The council will be soliciting applications to fill the vacant seat. Pursuant to NRS 266.225, Fernley City Council and the Mayor must fill the vacancy at the March 19 council meeting.
NRS 266.215 requires councilmen to be qualified electors within their respective cities, bona fide residents thereof for a period of at least one year and qualified electors within their respective wards.
Candidates must be 18 years of age and a registered voter living within the corporate limits of the City of Fernley.
The term of the appointment begins March 19 and runs through Jan. 1, 2009, the subsequent term is refilled subject to the primary and general election procedures of 2008.
Selection of the applicants will be conducted by the mayor and city council on March 19.
Persons interested in being considered for appointment to the vacancy must submit a letter of interest and completed city council application to the city manager's office no later than 4 p.m. Friday.
Applications may be picked up in person from the City Manager's office in City Hall or on the City's Web site under volunteer opportunities at www.cityoffernley.org.
People with questions should contact the City Manager's office at 784-9859, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To view the Ward Five Boundary map go to www.cityoffernley.org and click on the City Clerk's link.