City of Rio Rancho issued the following announcement on Nov. 23.
Mayor Gregg Hull has selected Dr. Karissa Culbreath to fill the District 5 City Council seat vacancy. Pursuant to the City Charter, Dr. Culbreath’s appointment requires Governing Body confirmation, which Mayor Hull will seek at the Governing Body’s December 10 meeting.
“As a result of an extensive applicant vetting process, I have chosen to appoint Dr. Culbreath to represent District 5,” Mayor Hull said. “As a scientist, educator, published author, community development advocate, and resident of Rio Rancho since 2012, Dr. Culbreath will bring valuable knowledge and perspective to the Governing Body. Dr. Culbreath has been on the frontlines of COVID-19, and I believe her expertise will aid local government in navigating the challenges of the pandemic moving forward.”
“The sheer number of residents from District 5 who expressed an interest to serve the community was extraordinary,” Hull said. “I thank each and every person who sought to be a public servant at a time when circumstances are ever-changing due to COVID-19.”
If the Governing Body confirms Dr. Culbreath’s appointment at its December 10 meeting, she would be officially sworn-in at the meeting. Dr. Culbreath would serve a term that ends in March 2022. As part of the regular municipal election taking place in March 2022, the District 5 seat will be decided by voters, and the person elected will serve a four-year term.
In October, Mayor Hull put out an open call to District 5 residents to apply for consideration to fill the vacant City Council seat. Dr. Culbreath was selected by the Mayor from 13 eligible applicants.
Dr. Culbreath is currently the Medical Director and Division Chief- Infectious Disease for TriCore Laboratories in Albuquerque. She is an Associate Professor/Director of Pathology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. In 2016, Dr. Culbreath was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for the children’s book she authored. Dr. Culbreath has lived in Rio Rancho since 2012 with her husband and two children. She is active with her local church and has worked to promote STEM education and community development.
Pursuant to the City Charter, if the Governing Body does not accept Mayor Hull’s appointment, the Mayor will appoint another individual within 45 days, subject to Governing Body confirmation. The process of Mayoral appointment and Governing Body consideration of the appointment continues until the Governing Body has confirmed an appointee of the Mayor to fill the position.
The District 5 City Councilor vacancy was created when Jennifer Flor, elected in March 2018, resigned effective October 10, 2020, due to family considerations.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up