West Richland council elects Richard Bloom mayor pro tem; council seat vacancy to be advertised with Feb. 13 deadline

Council members nominated candidates for Mayor Pro Tem and conducted successive voice votes. After several rounds and a point of order about voting procedure, Council Member Richard Bloom received the required majority of four votes and was declared Mayor Pro Tem for the 2026–2027 term.

The mayor explained the Mayor Pro Tem role, noting additional time commitments tied to budget and representational duties. Council members were told each may nominate up to one candidate; nominations did not require seconds under the process explained by the mayor.

Council also reviewed a packet on committees and external appointments and discussed which members might serve on boards such as the Hanford Advisory Board (an appointment process involving the Department of Energy). The mayor said his vacated council seat will be posted on the city's website and social media; applications will be due Feb. 13. Submissions will be reviewed and the council expects to hold a special meeting on Feb. 24 to interview candidates and make an appointment.

The meeting record shows routine agenda and consent approvals earlier in the evening. The council later entered executive session under RCW 42.30.110 to discuss agency litigation; the session was set for 15 minutes and the mayor said no action would follow.