In an unusual move, the Village of Wapella allowed trustee Bryan Atwood to maintain his trustee position on the board and cast a vote for himself to serve acting mayor of the Village. Former Mayor Richard Karr resigned after moving out of Wapella.

Last week’s attempt to elect Atwood as mayor was voided when village attorney Steven Mahrt informed the board there were not enough trustees in attendance to meet the state’s requirement for a quorum.

This week, four trustees, Atwood, Nancy Falk, Mandy Huff and Sherry Mears attended Tuesday night’s meeting.

Mears nominated Huff for the mayoral position, but she declined the nomination. Falk then nominated Atwood and was seconded by Huff. Mears voted no when the vote was taken. 

Atwood announced he would not resign as the head of health and safety because “we have too much going on.”

Mears interrupted Atwood to say he could not be mayor and a department head.

“Yes, you can,” he replied.

Though not on the agenda, Atwood asked for public comments from the audience and was asked when the two empty trustee seats would be filled. Atwood said he hoped by the next meeting on Aug. 21. 

Mears said the village should have a letter of resignation next week from trustee Ryan Carter who moved to Arizona more than a year ago. 

In other business, the board:

• Held a discussion about adding an additional person to be an authorized signature on the village bank accounts. The trustees voted to assign Atwood to be the second signature for the village. Mears is currently authorized on the accounts.

• Heard from a representative from Farnsworth Group about the water project currently underway in the village.