If the county council fails to reappoint the incumbent, or the position of public advocate otherwise becomes vacant, a majority of the members of the full county council shall appoint a new public advocate as follows. Within 30 days of the vacancy, the county executive shall nominate two individuals who meet the qualifications set forth in SCC 2.11.060 for the position of public advocate for consideration by the county council. The county council shall either appoint an individual from the county executive’s nominees or an individual of the county council’s own choosing provided that the county council finds either that the executive failed to submit two nominations within 30 days of a vacancy or that the county executive’s nominees fail to meet the qualifications set forth in SCC 2.11.060. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the creation of the office of public advocate, the person currently holding the title of ombudsman shall be deemed to have been appointed for purposes of the initial one year term, effective January 1, 2017.

The position of public advocate may not remain vacant for more than 120 days. (Added by Amended Ord. 14-077, Oct. 8, 2014, Eff date Oct. 30, 2014; Amended by Ord. 17-024, May 17, 2017, Eff date June 1, 2017).