Kingfisher County commissioners will vote next week to appoint a new county assessor to succeed Carolyn Mulherin, who died Saturday (see related story).

Chairman Heath Dobrovolny, Dist. 3, called for a moment of silence in Monday’s weekly commissioners meeting in memory of Mulherin, who has been an assessor’s office employee for 30 years and has served nearly seven years in the elected position.

The appointee selected by commissioners will complete the remainder of Mulher in’s second term, which expires in December 2022.

Dobrovolny said he had reached out to Assistant District Attorney John Salmon for legal guidance on the appointment process and expected to hear back from him Monday afternoon.

By state law, a special election would be called if a county office vacancy occurs in the first 18 months of a four-year term.

But because Mulherin had already served nearly three years of her second term, the vacancy can be filled by appointment.