Red Bluff City Council Opens Applications to Fill Vacant Seat

The Red Bluff City Council has initiated the process to fill the vacancy left by former Councilmember Cody Strock, who resigned on November 25, 2025. Applications for the vacant position will be accepted from December 3 until January 6, 2026. A special meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2026, where council members will appoint a new councilmember from the pool of applicants.

During a meeting held on Tuesday, the council reached a consensus on the timeline and procedures for the appointment. The decision to fill the vacancy through an appointment rather than a special election was made to avoid the significant costs associated with an election, which could range between $30,000 and $40,000. Councilmember Kris Deiters emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that the public should be aware of who is applying for the position.

The council explored multiple options for the application process, including the possibility of forming an ad hoc committee to review candidates. Ultimately, they opted to accept applications and hold a special meeting to review and appoint an individual, following the recommendations provided by city staff. City Manager Tom Westbrook noted that this timeline allows for greater participation, especially considering the holiday travel season that typically affects timing.

The original date for the special meeting was set for January 12, 2026, but was moved to January 15 when Councilmember Patrick Hurton indicated he would be unavailable on the initial date.

At the start of the meeting, council members revisited a disciplinary item concerning Strock’s previous conduct, which had been removed from the agenda due to his resignation. Public frustration was evident as citizens expressed their desire to discuss the matter, leading the council to open the floor for comments. The council plans to address options for disciplinary actions and potentially update their policies in January.

As Red Bluff prepares to fill this important role, community members and applicants alike will be watching closely to see how the council proceeds in the coming weeks.