Harris replaces former council member Mike Guevara, who resigned in order to run against incumbent state Rep. John H. Bucy III in the District 136 race. The city charter requires council members resign in order to run for a different elected position.
Harris will fill the role for at least two meetings, including the Oct. 22 meeting, until a newly elected council member is sworn in following the Nov. 3 election. He beat out five other applicants.
Harris has served in many community-based leadership roles, including as his HOA president, on the city’s planning and zoning board for six years and on the 4B board, to which he resigned in order to take the council position.
He added that over the past 10 years, he has had his hand in about $10 million worth of city development projects through the various boards he has been involved with.
“My main reason for joining is not only my past commitment to the city in board participation, but the opening came up, and I think it is important for the city to have a full council to do the city business,” Harris said. “Even though it’s a short term, I’d be honored to serve.”
In the Nov. 3 election, Cedar Park voters will elect either Eric Boyce or Jim Penniman-Morin for the Place 4 position. The winner will be sworn in at the Nov. 19 council meeting.
According to the charter, “an elected official filing for any office other than the office presently held or for Mayor, shall resign from such presently held office at least forty-five (45) days before the election.” The resignation was approved 26 days before the election, but Guevara legally still has capacity as a council member until his seat is filled, City Attorney J.P. LeCompte said to the council.
Taylor Girtman contributed to this report.
