Pendleton City Council to discuss filling Butler’s seat

By Terry Murry on Monday, July 6th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Pendleton City Councilmember Sean Butler notified the city in writing that he was resigning his Ward 2 seat on the council effective June 30. At its meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. the council is expected to declare the seat to be vacant and to discuss filling it.

The council has options according to the Ordinance No. 2744, Section 4.

“Upon the adoption of any resolution declaring an elective office to be vacant, the Council shall forthwith proceed to fill the vacancy as directed in Section 22 of Chapter IV of the Charter of the City of Pendleton.”

This section requires the council to fill the vacant position by appointment until the end of the year of the next general election. In this case, the appointment would be to fill the Ward 2 position for the remainder of this term and through December 31. A general election was held on May 19, for which Joseph Hull was elected to begin serving in this position on January 1, 2027. The process to fill the vacancy is at the discretion of the council.

Also on the agenda for the meeting, the council will consider amendments to its IT services contract with the city of Hermiston. The amendments include renewing the contract through June 30, 2029. It is currently set to expire in 2027.

The meeting is in council chambers of Pendleton City Hall. It can also be joined Via Teams HERE.

File photo of the Pendleton City Council including Sean Butler