Baberton City Council appoints Taylor Thompson to Ward 6 after 6-1 roll-call vote

BABERTON — At a special Baberton City Council meeting that began at 11:30 p.m., council members voted 6-1 to appoint Taylor Thompson to the vacant Ward 6 seat.

The meeting opened with the presiding officer reading council rules governing vacancies (Section 6, filling vacancies, rule 6.04), which require nominations from the interview pool, a second for each motion and a roll-call vote with a two-thirds threshold to select a candidate. "Council shall convene a meeting with proper notice to vote until a vacancy," the presiding officer said while summarizing the rule.

Council member Porman made the first nomination, moving to "nominate Lee Gregalonis," which Council member Miller seconded. The clerk called the roll and recorded votes as Miss Beck — No; Miss Miller — Yes; Miss Gerhardt — No; Mister Stall — No; Miss Hager — No; Mister Foreman — Yes; Mister Moore — No. The presiding officer announced, "We have 2 yeses, and the rest are no's," and noted that the result did not meet the required two-thirds vote, so the council moved to entertain additional nominations.

Council member Hager then moved to nominate Taylor Thompson; Council member Moore seconded the motion. After confirming this was a new slate, the clerk conducted a second roll call. The votes were recorded as Missus Hager — Yes; Missus Gerhardt — Yes; Missus Miller — No; Mister Portman — Yes; Mister Moore — Yes; Mister Stoll — Yes; Miss Beck — Yes. The presiding officer announced the tally as "6 yeses and 1 no," and declared that "Taylor Thompson will be appointed to Ward 6." The presiding officer also noted Thompson was present in the gallery and congratulated her.

The presiding officer thanked all applicants for their interviews and expressed optimism about the city's future and volunteer engagement. With no further business, the presiding officer moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:35 p.m.

Votes at a glance:
- Nomination of Lee Gregalonis (motioned by Council member Porman; seconded by Council member Miller): Roll call — Miss Beck: No; Miss Miller: Yes; Miss Gerhardt: No; Mister Stall: No; Miss Hager: No; Mister Foreman: Yes; Mister Moore: No. Outcome: Failed to reach two-thirds.
- Nomination of Taylor Thompson (motioned by Council member Hager; seconded by Council member Moore): Roll call — Missus Hager: Yes; Missus Gerhardt: Yes; Missus Miller: No; Mister Portman: Yes; Mister Moore: Yes; Mister Stoll: Yes; Miss Beck: Yes. Outcome: Approved, 6-1; Thompson appointed to Ward 6.

The council adjourned at 11:35 p.m.