Assemblymember Scott Crass will be the presiding officer of the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly for the next year. He officially took on the job during Thursday’s regular assembly meeting.
The outcome wasn’t much of a surprise. Crass had been serving as deputy presiding officer, and he was the only member the assembly nominated for the top job during a work session earlier this month. If there’d been another nominee, members would’ve selected one of them by casting secret ballots at Thursday’s meeting, but that wasn’t necessary.
The assembly chooses a presiding officer each year after the municipal election has concluded and new or returning members have been seated.
The person holding the post sets meeting agendas, runs public testimony and assembly discussion, calls special meetings, and serves as a representative of the assembly. They’re also tasked with preserving decorum at meetings, deciding on conflicts of interest, and making committee appointments, among other responsibilities and powers.
Though able to cast a vote on matters before the assembly, the presiding officer is also typically a less vocal participant in debate compared to other members.
Crass has served on the assembly for two years. His term began in 2023, when he earned about 54% of the vote, beating then-candidate Aaron Gibson.
Crass assumes the post following the departure of Mindy O’Neall. She termed out of her assembly seat this year and was elected to be the mayor of the City of Fairbanks last month.
Assemblymember Liz Reeves took over as the deputy presiding officer on Thursday. She was also the only member nominated for that role.