GILMAN — About two months after a now former Gilman city councilwoman cast a tie breaking vote to appoint her successor — and the Marshall County Auditor/Recorder and the Marshall County Attorney cried foul on the procedure — another councilwoman has been confirmed and seated by a unanimous tally, and a special election has been avoided.

According to the minutes of an Oct. 29 special meeting, which were published in the T-R on Nov. 4, three members of the council were present — Kathy Nissen, Laurie Nott and Chellie Craven. After a few failed attempts to nominate a candidate for the vacant seat left by the resignation of Kimber Ercse at the beginning of September, the council was prepared to move forward with a special election, and Auditor/Recorder Nan Benson was on hand to explain the process and the cost, estimated to be between $8,000 and $12,000.

Ultimately, however, Kelli Vilez was nominated and approved by a 3-0 vote, and she will now assume the seat. Originally, the council had voted 3-2 back in August to appoint John Frohwein to fill the vacancy, but Benson and County Attorney Jordan Gaffney urged a redo because of the fact that a resigning councilwoman was allowed a vote in choosing her own successor.

“We are pleased the City of Gilman has appointed someone to fill their vacancy on the council. This will save them money and this vacancy will appear on their City/School Election November 2025,” Benson said.