Christy Warner Back On Council

At the July 20 Kimball City Council meeting, Christy Warner will be sworn in as the newest council member.

The council at that point will be seating an entire board after months of discourse.

The decision to appoint Warner to the position did not occur without a few bumps in the road. The special meeting to either appoint a council member or approve a special election to fill the vacancy was held on Tuesday, June 22.

After Mayor Keith Prunty did the obligatory items, he nominated Rose Ellen Williams for the open position.

Her letter submitted for the vacancy stated: “I feel that I could provide a calm, neutral choice to City Council in our effort to improve and help to better Kimball.”

When Prunty asked for a motion to appoint Williams, Councilman Creg Pike motioned to approve the appointment, but there was silence after that motion.

Although there was no second, City Attorney Matt Turman stated that the council was required to cast a vote. Bright: nay. Ingram: nay. Pike: aye.

After the vote, Williams asked for an explanation for the vote, but the council members provided no answer.

Prunty then nominated former Councilwoman Christy Warner for the open seat.

Warner previously had been rejected as a candidate for the seat. Council members Gabe Ingram and Matt Bright voted against appointing her at the May council meeting.

Warner’s letter to the Mayor and Council stated: “As previously stated, I have served before as a member of the City Council for Kimball, representing the community well. In my time as a council member, I helped my fellow Council members and Mayor to achieve great things within the City and benefited the community.

“One thing I am most proud of was being a bridge between City and Council officials, building relations and trust between the two entities. I also helped to approve moving the Event Center and Longhorn buildings into private hands, which have been turned into great resources for the area and have stopped being a burden on the City.”

Prunty asked for a motion, Pike responded with a motion, and in a surprise move, Ingram seconded the motion. Prunty called for a vote. Pike: aye. Ingram: aye. Bright: nay.

In 12 minutes, the meeting was over, which included a public comment from Kathy Porter directed at the council.

Porter’s comments included: “I encourage you to go back and review those campaign promises that you made. I urge you to be informed and educated in the issues brought before you and make informed and educated decisions. Decisions affect the lives of the people of Kimball. The promises you made were for all Kimball residents, not just the ones you choose.”