Red Bluff City Council Opens Applications to Fill Vacancy

The Red Bluff City Council has announced the opening of applications for a vacant council seat following the resignation of former Councilmember Cody Strock. Applications will be accepted starting December 3, 2025, and will remain open until January 6, 2026. A special meeting is scheduled for January 15, 2026, to appoint a new member from the pool of applicants.

During a council meeting on Tuesday night, members deliberated over several options for filling the position. According to council discussions, the vacancy must be addressed within 60 days to avoid triggering a costly special election, estimated to range between $30,000 and $40,000. Councilmember Kris Deiters emphasized the need to keep the public informed about the selection process, which the council agreed to prioritize.

The council ultimately decided to follow recommendations from city staff to accept applications and hold a public meeting for candidate evaluation. This approach aims to enhance transparency and allow community members to understand who is applying for the position. City Manager Tom Westbrook noted that the timeline was designed to accommodate potential applicants traveling during the holiday season.

Initially, the special meeting was set for January 12, 2026, but was rescheduled to January 15, 2026, due to scheduling conflicts with Councilmember Patrick Hurton.

Strock’s resignation took effect on November 25, 2025, following a formal notification sent to the city clerk’s office. His departure prompted the council to consider disciplinary actions against him, which were removed from the agenda when his resignation was announced. Public sentiment was evident, as citizens expressed frustration over the lack of opportunity to discuss the disciplinary item at the previous meeting. In response, the council reopened the discussion and allowed public comments during Tuesday’s session.

Looking ahead, the council plans to address options for councilmember discipline and may review existing policies in their January meeting. The timeline for filling Strock’s position and the discussions surrounding council discipline reflect the council’s commitment to maintaining governance standards while ensuring community involvement in local decision-making.