NICEVILLE, Fla. Doug Stauffer will fill the Niceville City Council vacancy created by Councilman Abner Williams’s resignation.
Niceville.com Community Partner
Mr. Stauffer was among the three finalists seeking the seat. His term expires in 2027.
Stauffer is pastor of Faith Independent Baptist Church in Niceville and serves as treasurer of the Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee.
He won the seat in a coin toss after two votes by the four-member council were evenly split, with two voting for Mr. Stauffer and the other two for Douglas Tolbert.
Niceville.com Community Partner
Niceville City Clerk Dan Doucet said that using a coin toss to decide tie votes was made part of the City Charter when it was amended in 2022. It also allows for the drawing of straws. He said this was the first time either method had been used in the city.
“It worked out in Doug Stauffer’s favor,” said Doucet.
On January 9, Mr. Williams announced his resignation, creating the vacancy.
Initially, 11 people applied for the seat, and four finalists were selected during a workshop on Jan. 29.
Niceville.com Community Partner
One of the finalists, Kristen Shell, withdrew her application after accepting a position with the city as deputy city manager. The other finalist was Suraj Patel.
Two other city council seats will be on the 2025 municipal ballot. Incumbent councilmen Carl Donahoo and Sal Nodjomian are not expected to seek reelection at that time, said Mr. Doucet.
