The Indianola City Council has elected to fill the now vacant council seat via appointment at their meeting Monday, after councilwoman Heather Hulen resigned due to professional considerations.

City Manager Ben Reeves tells KNIA News the council elected to fill the seat via appointment rather than a special election to save taxpayer money since the seat is up for election again in November. Reeves also said the council will begin to take applications once that process is open, and interested parties should fill that out as soon as possible.

The public may also petition for a special election to fill the vacancy. A petition must be filed within 14 days after an appointment is made, or the notice of intent to fill the vacant spot is published. At least 1,000 or at least the number of signatures equal to 10% of voters who voted for candidates for office on the ballot at the preceding regular election is required.

Any appointed vacancy, either via appointment or special election, will fill out the term until the November election winner is sworn in.