Madison to stay temp mayor until special election

With a special election on the horizon, Creston City Council has decided unanimously to forgo appointing a mayor as they originally planned. Mayor pro-tem Richard Madison will continue acting as temporary mayor until the special election is held and results are certified.

If Madison is unable to attend a meeting, the senior-most council member will act as mayor pro-tem.

Following the resignation of Mayor Waylon Clayton in September, the council had to decide what the best course of action would be to fill the mayoral position for the last two years of the term.

In a special meeting later that month, the council debated appointment versus election, ultimately voting unanimously to appoint a mayor, with applications open to the public. Though the council voted to appoint, a special election could still be forced if the public obtained at least 182 signatures from Creston citizens who are eligible to vote.

This feat was quickly accomplished after a small group spoke with community members across town. The petition was turned into Creston City Hall Monday, Oct. 13 with 345 signatures, almost double the required amount of 182.

Due to restrictions surrounding how close a special election can be held to a regular election, the earliest date being recommended by the secretary of state’s office is Dec. 9.

If the special election is held at this date, the filing deadline to run for mayor is Nov. 14, 25 days before the election. Interested candidates must fill out an Affidavit of Candidacy and submit a Nomination Petition with at least 25 signatures to run.

The mayor presides over city council but is not a member, thus not having a vote on the council. They have the authority to veto measures passed by the city council, which must be explained in writing at the time of the veto. Mayoral vetoes can be overturned by the council with a two-thirds majority vote.

The mayor is responsible for appointing the mayor pro-tem, police and fire chiefs and the finance committee. They also appoint members of several boards and commissions within the city, with the approval of the city council.

Creston’s mayor is elected to a four-year term with a salary of $1,000 a month. The complete duties and powers of the mayor are available in the city’s code of ordinances.