The Wichita city council has elected District 2 advisory board chair Becky Tuttle as an interim council member for her district.  She will take over for Pete Meitzner, who is leaving to become the District 1 member of the Sedgwick County Commission.

Tuttle was elected by a 5 to 1 vote of the council.  The other vote was for former Goddard mayor Marcey Gregory.

Tuttle said her vision for Wichita over the next 10 years will be to keep young people in Wichita with great jobs and a diversified economy.  She also wants to work for a safe and secure community with safe, clean water, access to cultural activities and walking and biking paths.

Tuttle will serve until the November, 2019 election, and then a new District 2 council member will be elected by voters.

Council members paid tribute to Meitzner for his service of almost two terms on the council.  Meitzner talked about a variety of development projects that have contributed to the growth of the city and he said he’s proud that Wichita is considered one of the top 50 cities in America.    He also urged the council to consider a change in term limits for council members, going from two to three terms, although voters always have a say in deciding whether a council member will be re-elected.

Council member Jeff Blubaugh was elected to serve as the city’s vice mayor for 2019.  This is his second time as the vice mayor.  Bryan Frye served as vice mayor last year.