Fernley City Councilman Charles Shepperd, elected in November 2006 to represent Ward 1, has submitted his resignation to the Fernley mayor and City Council. His resignation will be effective Dec. 3 and creates a vacancy on the five-member board.

According to state law, the council and mayor must fill the vacancy at the next council meeting, scheduled for Dec. 5.

Mayor Todd Cutler read from an e-mail he received from Shepperd at the Oct. 17 council meeting, which stated Shepperd was considering resigning his council seat contingent up his successful completion of a law enforcement academy in California. Cutler shared that Shepperd wanted to leave the council if he passed the academy, but return to his council seat if he did not pass.

The mayor and council will select applicants at the Dec. 5 meeting. The city issued a statement saying interested applicants should prepare a three-minute presentation, followed by a five-minute question and answer period.