AIRWAY HEIGHTS—Kevin Richey will resign from his position as city mayor effective Dec. 31, 2020. He informed council of this decision at council’s study session Oct. 12.
Richey recently accepted a new job as assistant chief of the Spokane Valley Police Department, which contracts with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. He had been a sergeant with the sheriff’s office, supervising the special assault unit and major crimes. He’s been with the Valley department for just over 17 years.
“Every day that I go to my new job, I get a new project. I’m getting pretty busy,” Richey told council. “The city deserves to have council and a mayor that are engaged. Frankly, it’s been a while since I’ve been really engaged, and it’s just going to get worse.”
Richey had one year left on his term after Dec. 31, 2020. The city will now begin the process of finding his replacement until next year’s election, and must also fill his council seat.
“I just have too much other stuff to do, so it’s not fair to the city for me to hang on just because my term has one more year on it,” Richey said. “I’d rather have the city be served by someone who’s able to give it the attention it deserves.”
Both processes come down to a vote by council, which will first vote on filling his council seat. Candidates can submit qualifications, and council decides how to appoint, whether that’s per interviews or another process, according to the city.
Either subsequently or concurrently, council will also vote on who will replace Richey as mayor. That position could be filled by one of council’s six current members or by an outside candidate, though the former is more likely.
Each year, the council votes to approve the position of mayor and deputy mayor, so this year’s process will be no different, aside from the name in the mayoral position changing.
Richey, who’s lived in the city for 14 years, took over as mayor in 2015 after seven years with city council. He replaced Patrick Rushing, who resigned. Richey was then elected to a full four-year term in 2017.
He’ll become the fourth city mayor to resign.
Ralph E. Nolte, the city’s first mayor, resigned in 1966 and was replaced by Lorraine Holton, who went on to serve as mayor for 15 years. Bob Bundy resigned in 1983 and was replaced by Joe Martella.
Richey will oversee day-to-day operations with the police department in his new position, which he’ll begin officially Nov. 1.
Richey will be assistant chief for the police department and mayor for two months, during which he said he’s trying to avoid any conflict of interest issues.
“I have to recuse myself from any kind of vote concerning that,” Richey said. “I’m going to talk to our city manager and city attorney a little bit to come up with an idea of how that’s going to look here pretty soon.”
Drew Lawson can be reached at [email protected].
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