The Jefferson city council at its March 12 meeting will discuss how to proceed with a vacancy on the council created by the resignation earlier this week of longtime council member Larry Teeples.
According to Iowa Code, the city council must decide whether to fill the vacancy by appointment or by calling for a special election. If the council appoints someone, voters can still call for a special election through a petition process. An appointee would serve until the general election in November. If a special election is held, the new council person would serve until Teeples’ term expires Dec. 31, 2021.
According to Jefferson mayor Craig Berry, Teeples’ letter of resignation did not state a reason. Teeples, 77, was charged with extortion in January after allegedly threatening police chief Mark Clouse that he would withhold support for the police department as a city council person unless the JPD backed away from enforcing laws where his grandchildren were concerned.
Teeples has served on the city council since 1992. He submitted his resignation Wednesday.
