Mountain Home City Council member Philip Frame has resigned his Ward 3, Position 1 seat after serving less than two years in office. His resignation, effective September 30, was announced in a letter to Mayor Hillrey Adams. Frame cited a new professional opportunity that necessitates a relocation for his young family.
“This was in no way an easy decision for me,” Frame wrote. “Mountain Home is without question the greatest community on this earth, and one that I will remain deeply attached to, as my true home.”
The council accepted his resignation and declared the seat vacant during its October 1 meeting. City Clerk Scott Liles said the council plans to name Frame’s replacement at its October 15 meeting at 5 p.m. at City Hall, located at 720 S. Hickory Street. The resolution encourages any qualified Ward 3 residents interested in completing Frame’s term to contact the mayor’s office.
The appointed individual will serve the unfinished term, which concludes on December 31, 2025, with council races decided citywide rather than solely by ward residents. By Arkansas law, city councils can fill vacancies through a majority vote of their remaining members or by calling a special election. Mountain Home has opted for the appointment process, which cannot be vetoed by the mayor.
A question also remains about how the city will handle the next term for Frame’s seat. According to the Baxter County Election Commission, Frame was unopposed for re-election when filing closed on August 5 and was set to return to the council in January. The resolution accepting his resignation does not address this next term.
Frame was first sworn into office on January 2, 2025, after winning the Ward 3, Position 1 seat unopposed in the November 2024 election. He succeeded Paige Evans, who chose not to seek re-election after serving five and a half years. Before joining the council, Frame served on the city’s Planning Commission until resigning in December 2024. His council assignments included the Parks and Recreation Committee.
In his resignation letter, Frame called his time on the council one of the greatest honors of his life and expressed gratitude to Mountain Home residents for their trust.
“This was something that I had always hoped to have the opportunity to accomplish, and in doing so, a position that I took incredibly seriously,” he wrote. He also praised the mayor, council, city staff, and community in his closing remarks, wishing them continued success.
Currently, the other Ward 3 seat on the council is held by Carry Manuel, who faces challenger Mary E. O’Shields in the November 3 election, the city’s only contested council race.