SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake City Councilmember Judith Gorman resigned at the end of the Aug. 5 regular council meeting during closing comments, leaving a vacancy on the council of five.  

“I regret that unanticipated personal needs force me to resign before fulfilling my full four year elected term,” Gorman said. “It has been an honor and learning experience to serve this growing city over the years, which includes my previous years of attending city council meetings as an audience member, as a city volunteer and more recently as an elected city councilmember."  

Gorman asked for anyone who is a “good problem solver” to consider stepping forward to fill the vacancy.  

“This is a bad time from my perspective because the upcoming budget approval is a vital city council responsibility,” Gorman said. “So, it is a timely opportunity to step up now to be appointed to fulfill my term, which ends in 2027, respectively.” 

Mayor Peter Sharp thanked her for her service in her role. 

“We appreciate you,” Sharp said. “You are a wonderful person, a wonderful asset to the city. You will be missed but we will still find a way to utilize you as much as we can.”  

“You are going to have to go through my husband,” Gorman replied to Sharp. “This one was pretty hard to do, so thank you.”  

Councilmembers John Carson and Kayleen Bryson both thanked Gorman for her time. Gorman told the Columbia Basin Herald she didn’t have any further comments outside of the one made in the meeting.  

Sharp did not respond to further requests for comment.  

Mayor Pro Temp Kayleen Bryson said that since the resignation happened at the end of the meeting, there was no opportunity for council action but there will likely be an agenda item at the Aug. 19 council meeting regarding the resignation and how to fill that role. 

Bryson said when resignations happen, the council has typically opened an application portal and deadline for applications. Then, during an executive session, during a council meeting, they will review candidates and whether to appoint somebody from the pool of applicants.  

At this time, there is no further information available on how or when the position will be filled.