In what she called a tough decision, Sedona Councilwoman Angela LeFevre resigned from her seat earlier this week.

She made the announcement in a brief letter to city staff and fellow members of the council on Tuesday, Jan. 5.

“It’s for personal reasons — and definitely not something I wanted to do,” she said in a phone interview the following day. “I was looking forward to the next three years on the council. I had some big plans and ideas.”

LeFevre was elected in 2014 after receiving the most amount of votes in the primary election of those seeking a position on council. She said not working with the other six members of council is something she will miss.

“I feel very strongly that this is a great council,” she said. “We all get along and all work well together. I’ve received very nice messages from every member of the council [since her decision], which shows just how close we are.

“We’ve had some big issues this last year — some that were very divisive. There are those in the community who think very strongly about things and let their voices be heard. And that’s fine. But on most issues, I believe we all feel pretty much the same.”

Even though she will no longer be on council, she hopes to continue serving the city in other ways.

“We plan to stay in Sedona, and if I’m able to, I hope to do as much volunteering as I can,” LeFevre said.

As for advice for the next person sitting in her council seat, she said, “I hope whoever comes on has a strong belief in retaining the small-town feel we have here in Sedona. I would encourage them to read the Community Plan. I believe it’s a reflection of what the people of Sedona want. It’s not a blue print but a guide.”

According to City Clerk Susan Irvine, the last time a sitting council member resigned was in November 2009 when Vice Mayor John Bradshaw stepped down. His term was supposed to have ended in June of 2012.

Irvine said following an interview process, council will select the person they want to appoint. The appointee will serve from the date of appointment [expected to early March] until after the November 2016 General Election.

This year, there will be five council seats up for election: Mayor for a two-year term, three council seats for four-year terms, and one council seat for a two-year term [Lefevre’s]. When it comes time for potential candidates to pull papers to run for council, they will be asked if they are seeking one of the four-year terms or the two-year term.

“I was surprised to receive Angela’s letter of resignation,” Mayor Sandy Moriarty said. “I thank her for her service to the city and wish her well. I hope we can expedite the replacement process so we can carry on the city’s business at full strength.”

As for the type of candidate they hope to find to fill the position, Moriarty added, “Ideally we want someone who’s up on what’s going on with the city and one who has the ability to understand how cities work.”