Wake Forest board faces decision as 14 apply for vacant seat

The Wake Forest Town Manager’s office announced on Jan. 16 that 14 residents have applied to fill an unexpired seat on the Board of Commissioners, creating a compressed selection timeline that will shape decisions affecting the town through December 2027.

The vacancy opened when the former commissioner was sworn in as mayor, leaving a remainder of the term to be filled by appointment. Under the process laid out in the announcement, each current board member will score their top five choices. The town clerk will tally those scores and the five applicants with the highest totals will be invited to interview during the Board’s Feb. 3 work session. After the interviews, the Board will vote to appoint one person to serve the remainder of the term.

For residents, the procedure condenses the typical municipal appointment into a clear, two-step public phase: a scoring and shortlisting period followed by in-person interviews and a vote. That timetable means the individual selected will take part in near-term budget discussions, decisions about growth and development, and other commission actions at a time when Wake Forest continues to manage population growth and local infrastructure needs.

The town’s notice lists all applicants and includes contact information for the town clerk for residents who want more information or wish to follow the process. Those interested in observing the interviews or tracking the Board’s timeline should consult the town clerk’s office for details on how to attend or view the Feb. 3 work session.

This appointment process places a premium on transparency and community awareness. Because the appointee will serve until December 2027, the selection will effectively shape policies and priorities well beyond a single election cycle. Residents concerned about topics such as downtown planning, school impacts, road improvements, or municipal services will have a direct interest in which candidate receives a majority of board support.

What comes next is straightforward: the top five scorers will be interviewed on Feb. 3 and the Board will vote to fill the seat. The decision will determine who represents Wake Forest on the commission for the remainder of the term and who participates in decisions that affect daily life across town.