Residents who have an interest in local government and serving their community are invited to apply for an opening on the Bellevue City Council. Due to Councilmember Vandana Slatter’s resignation this month, there is an opening for Position 5 on the council to fill the remainder of her term through the November election.

To be eligible to serve on the council, applicants must be a Bellevue resident for one year and be a registered voter. To apply, submit a resume and a letter of interest. The letter (1,000 word limit and 12-point-font) should respond to the following three questions: What is your passion for the community? What is your vision for the city? Why do you want to serve on the council?

Letters of interest should be submitted via email, mail or delivery to Bellevue City Hall by 5 p.m. Feb. 2:

• Email – cityclerk@bellevuewa.gov

• Personal Delivery – first floor, Service First desk, 450 110th Ave. SE, Bellevue (Attn: City Clerk)

• Mail – Kyle Stannert, city clerk/assistant city manager, city of Bellevue, P.O. Box 90012, Bellevue, WA 98009

If selected as a finalist, the applicant will be asked to provide three-to-five references.

On Feb. 6, the council will review applications in executive session and then deliberate on the selection of the finalists during open session. The council will interview finalists during the Feb. 13 council meeting. The council is expected to make the appointment by the end of February. Per the Revised Code of Washington, the council has until April 14 to fill the vacated seat.

The term for the appointed council member will run through certification of the November general election. The ballot for the November general election will include the Position 5 seat along with the positions 2, 4 and 6. The elected council member for Position 5 would be sworn in once the election is certified by King County Elections through the original term date of Dec. 31, 2019.

The Position 5 seat became available when Vandana Slatter resigned after being appointed by the King County Council to represent the 48th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives. Her resignation became effective Jan. 14.

Bellevue operates under a council-manager form of government, with the council selecting a city manager who oversees all city operations. The council is made up of seven council members who are elected-at-large and serve staggered four-year terms. The council members, in turn, select a mayor and deputy mayor from among themselves.

For more information, visit www.bellevuewa.gov/council-members.htm.