MONROE — It took three separate votes for Monroe Common Council members to appoint a replacement for former alderman Rob Schilt, who stepped down a year early in his term because of familial obligations. 

Mayor Louis Armstrong had an appointment in mind. He recommended one name out of five that he had considered. When council member Mickey Beam requested the chance to nominate a new name during the meeting, Armstrong refused. His recommendation was Dan Perdue, a former city employee who ran as a registered write-in candidate in the April 2 election. Perdue received 36 total votes.

But others were in favor of appointing Rob Driver, who was also on the ballot and received the fewest votes – 939 total — in his attempt to capture one of the four empty seats on council. Alderwoman Donna Douglas said she was “concerned” as to why the person who was closest to recently being elected was not an option. Newly sworn in Alderman Josh Binger agreed, and said he believed Driver was the best option due to election results.

The motion to appoint Perdue failed in a 6-1 vote with Brooke Bauman the sole council member in favor. Schilt had already officially left the council and Alderman Richard Thoman was absent. 

Alderman Michael Boyce called for a delay in the appointment, citing a lack of public knowledge as a problem when it came to “fairness.” He said publishing the information for the public to consume and asking for advice from residents was a better option since many were not told of the upcoming vacancy until it was announced in recent weeks.

“I think that’s the fairest thing to do and I think the voting public would be best served,” Boyce said.

In that scenario, the mayor would still recommend an individual for ultimate approval by council as outlined in city code. When the vote to wait two weeks failed 4-3, Boyce said he was disappointed.

Council members then voted to remove the need for a recommendation from the mayor, which passed 6-1 with Boyce as the sole opposition vote. Alderwoman Kelly Hermanson moved to appoint Rob Driver, which passed 5-2, with Bauman and Boyce in opposition. 

The term will expire April 21, 2020.

Bauman raised a question about possible conflicts in Driver’s ability to vote on council matters, like the city budget, because Driver is a contracted employee as supervisor of the Monroe Municipal Airport.

City Attorney Dan Bartholf said the decision over whether Driver’s vote is a conflict would be made by the city Ethics Board.

Schilt addressed council members Tuesday, thanking them for their help in his learning process while overseeing city matters. He also thanked his family, from his wife to his mother-in-law to his mother, for their support. He also said he was grateful for city staff, which worked diligently to provide him with information.

Schilt was first elected to Monroe Common Council in April 2017 as when he called on supporters through Facebook the day before the spring election to cast a ballot for him as a write-in to fill the empty seat. There were no registered candidates listed on the ballot. Schilt received 66 votes.