Porterville's City Council appointed Darrin W. Crowell to the vacant District 3 seat during a special meeting Thursday, September 17. The Council exercised its authority to fill the vacant elected seat by appointment.

The vote and oath

Green nominated Crowell after the interviews. The City Manager then clarified the motion process, and the City Clerk confirmed Green as the mover and McKervey as the seconder.

During the individual roll-call vote, Green voted yes, Beltran voted no, McKervey voted yes and Meister abstained. Staff announced that the motion passed 2-1 with one abstention.

Crowell chose to be sworn in immediately. The City Clerk administered the oath during the meeting, and Crowell then took the District 3 seat.

How the interviews worked

Crowell was one of three applicants, along with Michael Carley and Tim Vanni. Each applicant gave an opening statement. Council then used the four questions identified in the meeting materials, rotating which applicant answered first.

Meister added a fifth question about homelessness along the Tule River. Beltran objected to changing the announced interview format. All three applicants nevertheless received the same additional question and the same time limit. The recording documents a difference between the planned and actual process; it does not establish that the change was unlawful or invalid.

What Council members said about the selection

Green said Crowell's answer to the homelessness question influenced his selection. Beltran nominated Vanni. Meister said his abstention reflected his preference for filling the vacancy through a special election rather than appointment.

How long the appointment lasts

The official meeting materials state that Crowell will serve until the next general municipal election, when District 3 voters will choose someone to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

Official sources