MIDLAND, Texas — The sudden passing of City Councilman At-Large Dan Corrales is leading to many questions, one being who will take his place on the council.
On Wednesday, the City of Midland released a statement on their next steps in that process and they want to make three points clear.
First, the person who will fill the at-large seat will be selected by the voters. There is no appointment process.
Second, having a council vacancy is not unprecedented. It has taken place on multiple occasions over the past couple of decades. The last Midland City Council member to pass away while in office was then District 2 Representative James Bradford in 2003.
Third, the city attorney's office is looking into local and state guidelines to make sure the City of Midland's next steps take place in accordance with the state constitution and the city charter.
According to the city, they want to have their “I's dotted and T’s crossed" as they fill the open seat on the council.
The city said it expects to address the matter at the next city council meeting on Feb. 13.