Port Orange Schedules Special Election for August 22nd

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – The Port Orange City Council has officially scheduled the special election to replace a resigned Council member for August 22nd of this year. Councilwoman Kat Atwood stepped down from her seat on January 17th, citing health concerns. The Council is set to appoint an interim Council member at its February 21st meeting; this member will act as an official member of the Council in the time between Atwood’s resignation and the appointment of a successor. The election will cost $50,000 of taxpayer money out of the general fund according to a city spokesperson. The qualifying period to run for the seat will be June 12th through June 16th, and the post will be open to whomever is appointed as the interim on the 21st. Individuals looking to be named interim were advised to apply here. Atwood’s tenure on the City Council dais was brief; she was only just elected this past November to succede the outgoing Chase Tramont. She expressed her regrets for having to leave her post, and was wished well by Mayor Don Burnette and her peers on the City Council. It’s the second time in just over two years that the Port Orange City Council has gone through the process of appointing an interim; Jonathan Foley replaced the resigned Marilyn Foley in January 2021.