Biggs Vice Mayor Doug Arnold, right, is recognized during his final City Council meeting before resigning July 28 as he prepared to move out of California. Arnold concluded more than two decades of public service, including eight years on the Planning Commission and 14 years on the City Council. Gridley Herald Archive photo

BIGGS, CA (MPG) – Vice Mayor Doug Arnold has resigned from the Biggs City Council, bringing to a close decades of public service that included eight years on the Planning Commission and 14 years as an elected official.

Arnold announced his resignation on July 28 while finalizing his move out of California, making him ineligible to continue serving on the council. His current appointment was scheduled to expire in December.

The resignation marked the end of Arnold's second stint on the council. After previously serving 12 years as a councilmember, he returned in December 2024 to fill the vacancy created by Chuck Nuchols' sudden resignation following a disagreement with another councilmember. Arnold's return came during a tumultuous period that included multiple council vacancies, leadership changes and administrative turnover.

In addition to his elected service, Arnold spent many years in Butte County's engineering department before retiring.

Arnold said at his last official meeting that he initially declined the opportunity to return to public office before ultimately agreeing to fill the vacancy.

"I wasn't planning on it, and people came to me and talked me into it, so I jumped in the middle of it," Arnold said. "It's been good. It's been a really good council. We all got along and we've got things done."

Mayor Bo Shephard credited Arnold with stepping into the role when the city needed an experienced councilmember, noting that his years of service helped provide continuity and stability for the council.

City Administrator Nicholas Gauthier said Arnold's experience and dependability helped guide both the council and city staff through that period of transition.

"You've been an absolutely great, steady hand on this council," Gauthier said. "Having you as vice mayor, knowing that I can always count on you to be here and have that anchor point, that's been so valuable."

During a special meeting July 31, the council formally accepted Arnold's resignation and appointed Councilmember Jerome Squires to serve as vice mayor for the remainder of the year.

The council also directed Gauthier to begin the appointment process to fill Arnold's vacant seat rather than call a special election.

Gauthier said state law allows the council to appoint a replacement because a majority of its members were elected, meaning the appointment will become the council's second appointed seat.

Applications for the seat are due by 4 p.m. Aug. 14, with interviews and an appointment scheduled during a special meeting Aug. 17.