Cedar Hills City Councilman Jim Parker resigned on Tuesday.

The departure means that five Utah County cities now have or shortly will have one appointed, rather than elected, city council member.

"Last week I accepted a new position at Novell that will require our family to relocate to the Boston area," Parker wrote in his resignation letter to city officials. "We have tentatively scheduled our move for April 1. In order to devote the necessary time and attention to getting our family of twelve 2,300 miles across the U.S., I am resigning as a member of the City Council, effective Jan. 31."

Parker told fellow council members and city staff that "while we are excited about the move, we are also sad to be leaving behind so many friends in Cedar Hills. Thanks to each of you for your friendship and for your service to our wonderful community. It has been a pleasure working with you and serving our residents. We continue to pray for your success as a council and for the success and prosperity of the city of Cedar Hills."

Cedar Hills Mayor Mike McGee said the city will begin taking applications for the vacant council seat on Feb. 15 and will fill the position within 30 days, as required by state law.

Although municipal elections were just completed in November, Cedar Hills is not the only city that finds itself required to appoint, rather than elect, a new member to its council. On Jan. 19, Orem council members appointed Mark Seastrand to fill a vacancy created by the sudden death of Doug Forsyth on Dec. 21.

Two cities were required to fill vacancies when council members halfway through their terms successfully ran for mayor.

On Jan. 17, Pleasant Grove City Council members appointed Bruce Call to fill the two years remaining on a City Council seat left vacant when Mike Daniels was elected mayor.

In Payson, Steven Hanson was appointed to fill Burtis Bills' term after Bills was elected Mayor.

Hanson had already spent several weeks serving as an appointee to fill the term of Councilwoman Colleen Jacobson, who resigned to take a job with the city.

In Mapleton, former Councilman Ryan Parham created a controversy after resigning in September -- past the deadline to put the position up for election.

On Sept. 28, Jim Brady was appointed to fill the remaining two years of Parham's term, but some residents have said they believe city officials encouraged Parham to wait to resign so the council could appoint someone, instead of allowing voters to elect his replacement.

City Council members who are appointed rather than elected "lack democratic accountability," said Ray Christensen, associate BYU professor of political science.

"The voters didn't select the appointee, but often times they have excellent experience, perspective and training," he said.

Being appointed isn't necessarily bad, he said, noting Supreme Court justices are appointed, "but most everyone would agree it would be better if city council members were elected," he said.

Having five appointed city council members serving at one time in the county would be bad if they were all on the same council, "but if it is just one person among seven, that is not a significant cause for concern because you've got six other elected people. The appointee is not going to change things dramatically."

Caleb Warnock can be reached at 756-7669 ext. 19 or cwarnock@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B1.