Rich Pahls is leaving his spot on the Omaha City Council in advance of joining the Nebraska Legislature in the new year.

Pahls will be sworn in as a state senator on Jan. 6, following certification of his election Nov. 23. He will resign before taking the oath of office for the Legislature, according to a city news release.

Interested residents of District 5 can apply for appointment to the remainder of Pahls’ term – which runs through June 6, 2021 – by the deadline of 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3. District 5 includes much of southwestern Omaha. Find a district map at bit.ly/3pvA2Wh.

City Council President Chris Jerram announced Monday that the council will fill the vacancy as provided by Section 2.06 of the city’s home rule charter.

“City Council members congratulate Rich on his election to the state Legislature,” Jerram said in a news release. “We will miss Rich’s contributions to the City Council, and I know District 5 residents will miss his advocacy for their interests.”

Candidates must submit a letter describing their interest in serving on the council along with a resume to City Clerk Elizabeth Butler. They can be mailed, hand delivered – in accordance with the new public access restrictions in the Omaha Douglas Civic Centre – or submitted by email to cityclerk@cityofomaha.org.

To qualify, a candidate must be a registered voter and a resident of District 5 for at least one year. Questions about a person’s qualification status can be referred to the Douglas County Election Commission at 402-444-8683.

Council members may, at their discretion, interview candidates. One or more nominees is expected to be announced by Thursday, Dec. 17, in advance of the agenda for the Dec. 22 meeting, during which a vote is planned.

Assuming a nominee is confirmed by the council, the new member would be inaugurated at the Jan. 12 council meeting.

Pahls was elected to the City Council in 2013 and reelected in 2017. He is the chair of the Law Committee. He was elected earlier this month to represent District 31 in the Unicameral.

Pahls is a retired administrator for the Millard Public Schools. He previously served in the Legislature, including as chairman of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee and as a member of the Executive Board.