Following the recent resignation of Hutto Place 4 Councilman Michael Smith, Hutto City Council this evening appointed Tim Jordan as his replacement. The council also appointed Councilman Tom Hines as the new mayor pro tem.

While considering a replacement for Smith, the council discovered there was no process in place to fill the vacant seat.

Mayor Doug Gaul initially asked the council for more time to develop a process with the city attorney.

However, the city's charter requires City Council to appoint a replacement at the meeting directly following the vacancy. Consequently, Councilman Nate Killough said Gaul's suggestion would not be fast enough.

"I need something Monday, Tuesday," Killough said. "I got to know what our game plan is."

After some discussion, the council decided to follow the rules of the city charter and appoint someone Thursday evening.

Councilman Tom Hines suggested Tim Jordan, who signed up to run against Michael Smith in the May election, had Smith not resigned.

The council voted 5-0 to approve the appointment.

Following that vote, the council voted 5-0 to appoint Hines to the mayor pro tem position.