After several weeks of post-election vote tallying, West Hollywood City Councilman Jeffrey Prang is officially poised to be the next Los Angeles County Assessor.

The county’s election office announced Monday that the final votes were counted, leaving Prang with 580,479 votes (50.79 percent) against Los Angeles deputy attorney John Morris’ 562,403 votes (49.21 percent).

“I am thrilled, relieved and it’s just great to know that the people of this county have placed their faith in me to administer this critical department that we all depend on,” Prang said on Tuesday. “It was a long campaign, but I’m glad it’s over and I’m looking forward to the work at hand.”

Morris was gracious in defeat.

“I want to thank the voters, media and everyone who supported my campaign to reform government,” Morris said. “I congratulate my opponent and wish him all the luck in the world in serving taxpayers honestly and competently, as well as guaranteeing fair tax assessments without political influence.”

The Los Angeles County Assessor’s race took on greater meaning this year with criminal charges being filed against John Noguez. Prang was hired as a special assistant to Noguez several months before the corruption charges emerged, and he has not been linked to those charges.

“We have been working for the last two-and-a-half years to pick up the pieces in the wake of that scandal,” Prang said. “We have been audited up and down and sideways. We have put in a new strategic plan and restructured the organization and taken steps to improve efficiency and productivity, and I think this office is a different place then it was two-and-a-half years ago. Fortunately, I have had an opportunity to be a part of the reform team that was charged with helping restore confidence in this office.”

Now that he has won the assessor position, Prang said he must submit his resignation to the West Hollywood City Council, effective at midnight on Nov. 30.

There are approximately two years left on his term, and the West Hollywood City Council now will have two options — appoint someone to serve out the remainder of the term, or schedule a special election in June.

Mayor John D’Amico said he has asked that the issue be placed on the agenda of the council’s December 15 meeting.

“All roads are leading to having an election,” he said. “The residents didn’t appreciate the last time [the council appointed someone], so I’m guessing there will be votes for scheduling this election and there should be.”

Early cost estimates for a special election are between $100,000 and $150,000, but D’Amico said the city has the money and it is important to have the Democratic process play out, rather than four people appointing someone.

“I think that is money well spent to make sure residents choose who they want in that council seat,” he added.

City Councilman John Duran said it is a momentous time in the city, noting because incumbents usually win, that decision likely will be for a leader who will be in the city for more than a decade.

“We have not had two open seats in thirty years and that means a significant change in government,” he said. “I think we will probably have an election for the Prang seat. I don’t think there are three votes to appoint anyone.”

Prang said he has faith in the council.

“I trust my colleagues to do the right thing for the city,” he said.

It is a bittersweet parting, he added.

“It’s hard to believe that it has been so long,” he said. “I sat back thinking the other day about how half my adult life was serving the city … but I am proud, that along with colleagues past and present, that we have built West Hollywood into a model community.”

Every council member said they would miss Prang, as well.

“He is a personal friend and I’m really happy he is going on to a new challenge,” Duran said. “He’s ready for some new challenges and I think he will serve the county well.”

“I wish him much success and he is going to be very successful in that position,” D’Amico said. “He is smart and nimble and he will take care of business at the assessor’s office. I can’t think of a better person to be elected to that position.”