7 days ago
Special filing period for Adams Co. offices coming
May 27—RITZVILLE — A three-day special filing period will be announced for Adams County elective offices that didn't attract candidates during the filing week earlier in May. Elections administrator Jacque Laird said it was tentatively scheduled for July.
"We haven't set a date yet," Laird said.
Offices that didn't attract any candidates include one position on the Washtucna School Board and the Town of Washtucna council. One position on the Lind Park and Recreation board failed to attract candidates, and so did all five positions on the Othello Parks and Recreation board.
The district administered PJ Taggeres Park and the Othello Community Pool, but the park was annexed into the city of Othello. The city also administers the pool, which is in poor repair and was closed last summer. City officials are in the process of assessing the options for its repair and replacement.
However, the Parks and Recreation district is the organization managing the bond approved by voters to pay for the pool. Because of that, the district is still active. The bond will be paid off this year.
Adams County Auditor Heidi Hunt said in an earlier interview that parks and recreation district commissioners would have to vote to disband, and that hasn't happened yet.
Three seats on the Othello cemetery district board failed to attract candidates, and one on the Lind cemetery board. Two seats on the Othello water district board also failed to attract candidates.
Laird said that once an elected official's term is done, it will be done.
"If nobody files for those positions, they stay open," Laird said. "They just stay open until filled."
In those cases, the governing body would have to appoint a replacement, she said. People would have to apply for the position, even incumbents. Anyone appointed to a seat after the filing period would stay in the job until the next election for local and junior taxing district offices in 2027.
