On August 19, 2024, Palm Coast City Council Member Cathy Heighter announced her resignation effective August 23, 2024. The City will begin the process of filling the District 4 seat, which Heighter was originally slated to hold until November 2026.
The process for appointing a new District 4 representative will be discussed during the City Council Business Meeting on August 27, 2024. According to the City Charter:
“If, for any reason other than recall or assuming the office of Mayor, a vacancy occurs in the office of any Council seat within the first two years of a term, the office shall be filled by appointment within 90 days following the occurrence of such vacancy by majority vote of the remaining Council members. If said vacancy occurs within six (6) months of the next regularly scheduled election, the remaining Council members may delay the appointment. Such appointments shall last until the next regularly scheduled election, at which time the seat shall be declared open and an election held for the remaining two years of the original term, thus continuing the original staggering of district seats.”
Cathy Heighter was elected to serve as the District 4 representative in November 2022.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin emphasized the resilience and dedication of the City Council: “Our City Council has been committed to solving problems and maintaining the momentum that keeps Palm Coast thriving. We are resilient and will continue to work hard for our community, ensuring that our city remains strong and focused on the future.”