Palm Desert Searches For New Council Member

The Palm Desert city clerk’s office began accepting applications today from residents seeking to fill the seat of a longtime councilman who died last month.

Richard S. Kelly, who had two years remaining on a four-year term, died Aug. 20 following a brief struggle with bladder cancer.

State law requires the council to appoint someone to fill the vacancy or to call a special election by Sept. 20.

Applications will be accepted through Sept. 13, according to city spokesman David Hermann.

Residents are asked submit a resume and fill out an application, which can be found here or picked up at City Hall.

Selected applicants will be interviewed Sept. 15-18, Hermann said.

At the council meeting on Sept. 20, council members will decide whether to nominate a candidate to fill the vacancy or to call the special election.