(KMZA)--The Seneca City Council has approved a charter ordinance exempting the city from a new state law related to the filling of vacancies on governing bodies.

City Administrator Matt Rehder says the charter ordinance approved by the Council Wednesday evening would exempt the city from a law passed by the 2015 Kansas Legislature requiring cities to fill vacancies on their governing body within 60 days or they would be have to hold a special election to fill the vacancy.

The charter ordinance must be published twice in the Seneca Courier Tribune, and will take effect 61 days  after final publication unless a valid protest petition is filed.