CELINA-City alderman Brittany Kerr submitted her resignation and the ratification of “private act SB0046/HB0050 to change the number of city aldermen from 3 to 5” failed after a vote was taken here last Thursday, according to minutes from the special meeting session of the Celina Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Minutes show Kerr “presented her resignation” prior to the ratification vote, and “vice-mayor (Justin) Rich made a motion to accept” it, before alderman Kenny Westmoreland seconded the motion and it passed 2-0.

Kerr also addressed the decision on social media after the meeting.

“As of tonight I resigned from my position as an alderman of the city of Celina,” she said on her personal Facebook page.  “I started this journey to honor and complete my dad’s term.

“I have tried my best to always do the right thing for this city,” Kerr continued.  “However, for the best interest for myself and my family, it is time to focus my full attention to my family and my career.

“I really hope I did make dad proud these last 10 months, but I know he would have supported this decision I made tonight.”

Kerr was appointed to succeed her father Winton Dillon upon his death a little over a year ago.

At the meeting, Rich also “made a motion to declare a vacancy of office for alderman,” which was seconded by Westmoreland and passed by a 2-0 vote.

Westmoreland then “made a motion to vote on the resolution to ratify the private act” concerning the alderman increase, and minutes said Rich seconded “the motion to vote.”

“Alderman Westmoreland voted yes, vice-mayor Rich voted no,” minutes said, before detailing the action taken:

“Whereas upon the call of the role by the Recorder, the two (2) aldermen voting, casting one vote by Aldermen Westmoreland ‘aye’ and one vote by Vice Mayor Rich ‘nay,’ the vote of the legislative body neither approving nor disapproving the ratification of the Act, causing the Motion to Approve the Act to fail, thereby leaving the duty of the legislative body of the City of Celina uncompleted, as set forth in Section 4 of the Act, to either approve or disapprove the Act by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.”

According to minutes, “with there being no other discussion,” Rich made the motion to adjourn, which was seconded by Westmoreland and passed with “all voting aye.”