Iola City Councilman Michael Middleton resigned his post Tuesday because he is moving out of Iola?s third voting ward. 
Middleton has been on the Council since his appointment in May 2017.
?I want to thank everybody,? Middleton said at the conclusion of Tuesday?s meeting. ?I?ve learned a bunch. We didn?t necessarily always agree, but I appreciate everybody?s input and opinions.
He encouraged others from the Third Ward to consider serving.
?It?s a gratifying job,? he said. ?It?s voluntary, and you put a lot of time into it, and you feel good about what you?re doing.?
Mayor Jon Wells, who will appoint Middleton?s replacement, said the city would accept applications from Ward 3 residents through Dec. 4, to give him time to review before the Council?s Dec. 10 meeting.
The Third Ward covers the southwest quadrant of Iola.
The vacancy sparked discussion among the remaining Council members on whether the city should once again look at implementing a five-man governing body.
Such a change would require a charter ordinance, which would need to be approved by two-thirds of the Council, and then be subject to protest petition from Iola?s voters.
And then, if the Council does favor down-sizing, they also would have to decide who stays, City Administrator Sid Fleming noted.
Iola voters have twice rejected charter ordinances in the past decade that established smaller governing bodies, the first in 2009 to get rid of the old three-man city commission; and again about a year later an ordinance establishing a five-member commission.
The discussion deserves another look, Councilman Ron Ballard said, ?especially with the turnover we?ve had.?
Of the eight members on the Council, three ? Middleton, Danny Mathew and Chase Martin ? are appointees. Three others, Ballard, Ford and Gene Myrick, were unopposed when they ran. Wells also was elected mayor without opposition. Mark Peters, meanwhile, was elected as a write-in candidate.
Only one Council member, Aaron Franklin, faced opposition when he was elected in 2015 over incumbent Steve French.
Middleton?s seat will be up for re-election next November.
