Lacey City Councilmember Nicolas “Nic” Dunning formally resigned from the Lacey City Council on Tuesday, starting the 90-day clock for the City of Lacey to fill his vacant seat.
Dunning announced his resignation during a Lacey City Council work session on Aug. 11, citing a need to focus on his family and his ongoing campaign for Thurston County Commissioner District 5.
“This is just the beginning, and I am leaving this position to hopefully have an even bigger impact on the City of Lacey,” Dunning said Tuesday, where he was recognized by his seatmates and city staff for his two-and-a-half years of service on Lacey City Council.
Dunning’s seatmates acknowledged that they didn’t always get along with Dunning, but that they respected his commitment to the City of Lacey and the fact that he spoke his mind and asked tough questions.
“You set out to make the community as a whole better,” said Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller.
Mayor Andy Ryder additionally thanked Dunning for recognizing that he was not in a position to commit fully to his role as a city councilmember and allowing someone else to step in.
“You’re putting the needs of Lacey ahead of your personal needs, and that is not an easy thing to do,” Ryder said.
With the 90 day deadline, the Lacey City Council has to select someone to appoint to Dunning’s seat by Nov. 15. The appointee would serve the remainder of Dunning’s term, which expires at the end of 2027.
The City of Lacey tentatively plans to open applications for Dunning’s seat on Aug. 24 and to accept applications through Sept. 18.
Applicants will most likely be asked to provide their contact information, a statement of interest, a resume of relevant experience, and answers to a handful of standard questions regarding their vision and priorities for the City of Lacey.
State law requires city council applicants to be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, registered voters within their district, not currently incarcerated for a felony, and to have been a Lacey resident for at least a year.
The city hopes to select applicants Oct. 6 to interview between Oct. 7 and Oct. 29.
