FRANKLIN
Just like every other first council meeting of the new fiscal year, the governing body will discuss the dates of the regularly scheduled meetings and assign members to boards and commissions. However, at the meeting on Monday, Franklin City Council will also select a vice mayor as well as discuss the procedure for filling the Ward 6 vacancy.

According to the Virginia Statutory Authority, “the governing body … shall elect a vice chairman or vice mayor, as the case may be, who shall preside at meetings in the absence of the chairman or mayor and may discharge any duty of the chairman or mayor during his absence or disability.”

Members will nominate other members to be elected for the position of vice mayor, and then council will vote to determine who will fill that position.

Council will also determine who will fill the Ward 6 vacancy.

The former representative, Frank Rabil, is now the mayor, leaving the seat open.

The policy regarding filling a vacant seat on council is covered under Virginia Statutory Law, as well as the Franklin City Charter. Franklin City Attorney Taylor Williams will reveal his recommendation at the meeting and then council will have an open discussion on how it will proceed in filling the seat.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 207 W. Second Ave.