FRIDAY, July 17, 2026|
Photo – Mayor Chuck Davis swears-in Mike Cooley in 2023 – Bigfoot99 file photo
Mike Cooley has abruptly resigned from the Saratoga Town Council.
In 2022, Saratoga voters elected a new mayor, Chuck Davis, and three new council members: Jerry Fluty, Jacob Fluty, and Mike Cooley. Cooley was chosen to fill an unexpired two‑year term and was reelected to a full 4-year term last year. He also served as Mayor Pro Tem and as the council’s representative to the Airport Advisory and Specific Purpose Tax boards.
During Wednesday evening’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Davis announced that Councilman Cooley had submitted his resignation, effectively immediately.
Cooley was on hand for Mayor Davis’s restructuring of Saratoga’s government, which included appointing a new chief of police, treasurer, town attorney, and public works director.
Back at Wednesday’s meeting, the mayor said Councilman Cooley had performed well during his time on the governing body and asked the remaining councilmembers to accept his resignation. Councilman Cory Oxford moved, Bub Barkhurst seconded, and the motion passed.
Following the vote, Mayor Davis said the council had two additional matters to address. The first was to seek letters of interest from residents willing to finish the two years and four months remaining on Councilman Cooley’s term. The mayor said they can advertise in the local newspaper and on the electronic sign in front of town hall.
If no one expresses interest in the position, the mayor said they will continue advertising.
The Town Council voted to publicize Councilman Cooley’s open seat for 30 days.
Next, Mayor Davis said they need to appoint a new Mayor Pro Tem. The Mayor Pro Tem presides over meetings and handles mayoral duties when the mayor isn’t available. Mayor Davis asked the governing body to appoint Councilman Cory Oxford to the position.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to appoint Cory Oxford as Mayor Pro Tem.
Saratoga residents who want to fill Councilman Mike Cooley’s unexpired term should submit their letters of interest at Saratoga Town Hall or email Town Clerk Jennifer Anderson at clerk@saratogawyo.org. The deadline for submissions is August 14th.
