Davenport will probably use a special election to fill a vacancy on the city council. Wednesday night aldermen will consider a resolution asking the Scott County Auditor to schedule an election, and a primary if necessary, as soon as possible.
The vacancy was created by the resignation two weeks ago of 3rd ward alderman Bill Boom following his guilty plea to a felony in federal court.
The council could appoint a replacement for Boom, but Iowa law allows an appointment to be over-ridden if enough city residents sign petitions asking for a special election. And in this case it would take just 96 signatures to force a vote.
In a memo to council members, corporation counsel Tom Warner says a primary could be held as soon as June 11th followed by a general election in mid-July. And each election in the 3rd ward would cost about 10,000 dollars.
The Davenport city council will meet as a committee-of-the-whole at 5:30 pm, in city hall.
