ARLINGTON — The Arlington City Council is taking its time in selecting a replacement for Dick Butner, following his death May 15.

State law allows the council until Aug. 12 to fill the vacancy, so the city has scheduled an interview period for all candidates on Monday, June 29, starting at 6 p.m. in council chambers.

The city will accept applications until 5 p.m. on Friday, June 12. Applications are available online at arlingtonwa.gov, at City Hall at 238 N. Olympic Ave., or by calling the mayor’s office at 360-403-3441.

Council member Chris Raezer noted this is the third time the council has had to fill a seat by appointment within the past 10 years. In 2006, Scott Solla was appointed to replace Dan Anderson, who moved out of the area. In 2011, Solla died of cancer and was replaced by Debora Nelson.

Although Nelson wondered whether the empty seat might leave the council short during a close vote or if any council members planned on taking vacation, all the council members ultimately agreed that they felt no need to rush the decision.

June 29 was selected since it’s the fifth Monday of the month, during which no council meeting had been scheduled, so the council can devote the entire meeting to interviewing candidates.

The council is expected to make its selection no later than mid-July. If the council doesn’t make a selection by Aug. 12, the Snohomish County Council will make the choice.