Accountant fills vacant council seat

Note: Story updated with results of City Council vote.

The man named by the Idaho Falls mayor to fill a City Council seat left vacant after a councilman died in March was approved in a council meeting Thursday.

Rebecca Casper appointed forensic accountant David Smith to the seat formerly occupied by Dee Whittier. The appointment had to have City Council’s support, and it unanimously approved Smith.

Eight people applied for the job, the city said in a news release Monday.

“I have chosen David Smith because he will add critical expertise to our City Council,” said Casper. “Councilman Whittier’s background in financial planning was a great asset to the council, and Mr. Smith builds on that legacy. Not only does he have stellar credentials and financial experience, but he was also a member of the Citizen Review Committee for the Municipal Services Division in 2014, which means he is familiar with internal city processes.”

Smith, a certified public accountant, owns Smith and Company CPAs PLLC in Idaho Falls. An Idaho Falls native, he and his wife, Karen, have raised their five children in town. Karen Smith recently retired after working for the city for 21 years.

“I appreciate the trust and respect Mayor Casper has bestowed upon me to fill the seat of Councilman Whittier, and I will work to earn the same trust from the citizens,” said Smith. “I believe Idaho Falls is a great community, and the best is yet to come.”

Smith will serve until the end of Whittier’s term, at which point he could run for the office.