What Happens Next? Burien Begins Process to Fill Vacant City Council Seat

Interested in Serving? Burien Opens Process to Fill Vacant City Council Seat

Burien residents interested in public service will soon have an opportunity to apply for a vacant seat on the City Council.

Former Councilmember Linda Akey resigned from the Burien City Council on May 18, creating a vacancy in Position No. 2. Under Washington law, the remaining councilmembers are responsible for appointing a qualified resident to fill the seat until voters can elect someone to complete the remainder of the term.

Applications are due by June 26, 2026 at 4 p.m.

The appointment comes at a time when the City Council is addressing issues ranging from housing and transportation to economic development, public safety, airport impacts, and long-term planning.

Unlike a traditional election, applicants do not need to run a campaign or collect signatures. Instead, interested residents submit an application directly to the City and participate in a public appointment process.

How the Appointment Process Will Work

The City has established a multi-step review process intended to narrow the applicant pool before conducting public interviews and making an appointment. The timeline gives councilmembers several weeks to review applications and evaluate candidates before selecting a replacement.

Key dates include:

• June 29, 2026: The City Clerk will provide all submitted applications to the City Council for review.
• July 13, 2026: The City Council will select candidates to advance to interviews and confirm the interview date. Each councilmember will rank up to five candidates, with rankings scored through a point system. The Clerk's Office will compile the results using an Excel matrix, awarding five points for a first-place ranking, four points for second place, and so on. The top-ranked candidates, up to five total, will move forward to interviews.
• July 14, 2026: The City Clerk will contact selected candidates and schedule interviews.
• July 27, 2026 (tentative): The City Council will conduct candidate interviews during a regular meeting open to the public. Each candidate will participate in a 20-minute interview before the council.
• Following the interviews, councilmembers will recess into executive session to evaluate candidates before returning to open session to appoint a candidate to Position No. 2.
• After the appointment is made, the selected candidate will be sworn in and seated on the City Council.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, applicants must be registered voters residing within the City of Burien and otherwise qualified to hold elected office under state law.

The appointed councilmember will serve until the next election cycle when voters will have an opportunity to elect someone to complete the remainder of the term.

Burien's seven-member City Council is elected at large and is responsible for adopting the city budget, establishing policy, approving contracts, and making decisions that affect residents throughout the community.

For residents who have considered serving their community but have never run for office, the appointment process offers a rare opportunity to be considered for a council seat without the expense and time commitment of a traditional election campaign.

Residents interested in applying should watch for additional information from the City of Burien regarding application deadlines and requirements. More details are expected to be posted on the City's website as the process moves forward.

Application Instructions

• If you are interested in serving in this Council position, you must submit the following by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026:
  • Letter of Interest
  • Resume
  • Completed application
  • Optional: Letters of support from community members
• To access the application form, download the PDF application, email cityclerk@burienwa.gov, or visit City Hall Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Application packets received after 4 p.m. on June 26, 2026 will not be accepted. Mailed application packets must be postmarked on or before the due date. Additional written information after this date will not be accepted, unless requested by the City Council.
• Submissions may be submitted by one of the following methods:
  • In person at Burien City Hall, 400 SW 152nd St, Suite 300, Burien, WA 98166. City Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and closed from 12 to 1 p.m.
  • By mail addressed to Burien City Hall, Attn: City Clerk, 400 SW 152nd St, Suite 300, Burien, WA 98166
  • By email to cityclerk@burienwa.gov. Please indicate “City Council Position No. 2 Application” in the subject or body of your email.

Questions?

Contact the City Clerk’s Office at:
Phone: (206) 241-4647
Email: cityclerk@burienwa.gov