Council Vacancy

Thank you for your interest in serving the community as a member of the Sumner City Council. The timeline for filling the Council vacancy is as follows:

October 8, 2024: Application and supplemental material due by 5:00pm

October 23, 2024: Candidate interviews beginning at 6:00pm

November 4, 2024: Candidate nominations and appointment voting beginning at 6:00pm

November 18, 2024: Swearing in of new councilmember (tentative)


To be considered, your application must be completed and received by the City Attorney. Applications and supplemental materials received after 5pm will not be accepted. Additional written information after this date will not be accepted, unless requested by the City Council.


Councilmember Eligibility, Requirements & Public Disclosure

To be eligible to be appointed to the Sumner City Council, you:

  • Must have continuously resided within the Sumner city limits for a minimum of one year prior to your appointment to the Council, and
  • Must be a registered voter in the City of Sumner.

Please note that:

  • Once a Councilmember application is filed with the City, it is a public record available to the public.
  • The applications received from all candidates who meet the minimum requirements of State law, along with the answers to the supplemental questions, will be posted on the City of Sumner website as part of the Council's meeting packet the week of the initial interview.
  • If appointed, you will be required by state law to file financial disclosure statements with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission (www.pdc.wa.gov).
  • This position will be on the 2025 ballot as a two-year term expiring December 31, 2027.


City Council Duties & Compensation

The Sumner City Council is the legislative authority of the City of Sumner. The City operates under a Mayor- Council form of government. The seven-member City Council serves as the legislative body of the City. The Council is responsible for setting policy, adopting the annual budget, adopting laws, determining the services to be provided and the funding levels for those services, and appointing citizens to its advisory boards and commissions.


The duties of a City Councilmember will likely involve an average minimum commitment of 18-20 hours per month for preparation, participation, and attendance at various meetings and community activities. Beyond the broad duties previously mentioned, Councilmember duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Required attendance at regular City Council meetings and study sessions, which are held every Monday evening, starting at 6:00pm. From time to time, the City Council or Mayor may call special City Council meetings to handle city business.
  • Councilmembers are expected to serve on Council Committees, regional boards and commissions and to represent the City Council at various community functions. These various meetings and functions occur normally during the evenings (2-3 times per month) but may also occur on some weekends and during some weekdays.
  • Some travel is expected locally, regionally, and/or within the State of Washington in accordance with the City travel policy applicable to all employees and City officials as well as the budgetary limits set for each Councilmember and for the City Council as a whole.


The bi-weekly Councilmember salary as of June 23, 2024, is $645 ($16,770 annually). No benefits are offered.


Oral Interview Process

On Wednesday, October 23rd the Council will conduct in person interviews. The order of interviews will be determined by a random draw at the beginning of the meeting. Candidates will be asked to respond to three questions which will be provided to the applicant in advance.

The Council may set a time limit for each candidate to respond to the oral interview questions.

Thank you for your interest in serving the community as a member of the Sumner City Council. The timeline for filling the Council vacancy is as follows:

October 8, 2024: Application and supplemental material due by 5:00pm

October 23, 2024: Candidate interviews beginning at 6:00pm

November 4, 2024: Candidate nominations and appointment voting beginning at 6:00pm

November 18, 2024: Swearing in of new councilmember (tentative)


To be considered, your application must be completed and received by the City Attorney. Applications and supplemental materials received after 5pm will not be accepted. Additional written information after this date will not be accepted, unless requested by the City Council.


Councilmember Eligibility, Requirements & Public Disclosure

To be eligible to be appointed to the Sumner City Council, you:

  • Must have continuously resided within the Sumner city limits for a minimum of one year prior to your appointment to the Council, and
  • Must be a registered voter in the City of Sumner.

Please note that:

  • Once a Councilmember application is filed with the City, it is a public record available to the public.
  • The applications received from all candidates who meet the minimum requirements of State law, along with the answers to the supplemental questions, will be posted on the City of Sumner website as part of the Council's meeting packet the week of the initial interview.
  • If appointed, you will be required by state law to file financial disclosure statements with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission (www.pdc.wa.gov).
  • This position will be on the 2025 ballot as a two-year term expiring December 31, 2027.


City Council Duties & Compensation

The Sumner City Council is the legislative authority of the City of Sumner. The City operates under a Mayor- Council form of government. The seven-member City Council serves as the legislative body of the City. The Council is responsible for setting policy, adopting the annual budget, adopting laws, determining the services to be provided and the funding levels for those services, and appointing citizens to its advisory boards and commissions.


The duties of a City Councilmember will likely involve an average minimum commitment of 18-20 hours per month for preparation, participation, and attendance at various meetings and community activities. Beyond the broad duties previously mentioned, Councilmember duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Required attendance at regular City Council meetings and study sessions, which are held every Monday evening, starting at 6:00pm. From time to time, the City Council or Mayor may call special City Council meetings to handle city business.
  • Councilmembers are expected to serve on Council Committees, regional boards and commissions and to represent the City Council at various community functions. These various meetings and functions occur normally during the evenings (2-3 times per month) but may also occur on some weekends and during some weekdays.
  • Some travel is expected locally, regionally, and/or within the State of Washington in accordance with the City travel policy applicable to all employees and City officials as well as the budgetary limits set for each Councilmember and for the City Council as a whole.


The bi-weekly Councilmember salary as of June 23, 2024, is $645 ($16,770 annually). No benefits are offered.


Oral Interview Process

On Wednesday, October 23rd the Council will conduct in person interviews. The order of interviews will be determined by a random draw at the beginning of the meeting. Candidates will be asked to respond to three questions which will be provided to the applicant in advance.

The Council may set a time limit for each candidate to respond to the oral interview questions.

Page last updated: 15 Oct 2024, 10:07 AM