The Laguna Niguel City Council voted unanimously on April 18 to appoint a new councilor to the seat vacated by Mayor Pro Tem Rischi Paul Sharma earlier this month.
Sharma resigned without explanation on April 6.
The council’s vote comes after city officials indicated a special election for the seat this November would cost $100,000.
Rischi Paul Sharma. (Courtesy of the City of Laguna Niguel)
“If we were to go to a special election, we would be without a fifth council member for seven months, it would cost $100,000, and I think we are better suited to do an application process,” Councilman Ray Gennawey said during the meeting….