Following the resignation of controversial Lake Park Mayor Aaron Wittnebel, the city council has decided to appoint a new mayor, rather than hold a special election to fill the position.
On Monday, the Lake Park City Council voted unanimously to take applications for the mayor’s job. Residents who are interested have until 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 to turn in an application at the city office.
City council members can apply, but cannot vote to appoint themselves, said city attorney Charlie Ramstad.
In the meantime, Lake Park Vice Mayor Jon Anderson was unanimously appointed interim mayor. He has effectively been doing the mayor’s job for the past few months.
Wittnebel’s written letter of resignation was received by the city clerk’s office on Friday, making that his official resignation date.
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Wittnebel’s term would have expired on the first Monday of January 2017.
Since there was less than two years left in his term at the effective date of his resignation, no special election is required.
The city council could have opted to hold an election anyway, but decided against it.
Ramstad said a special election to fill a vacant position has never been held in Lake Park, and the city council would have had to first pass an ordinance providing for such an election.
Instead, the council decided to appoint a new mayor.
“That’s what’s been done in the past,” Ramstad said.
In a brief discussion prior to the vote, council members Keith Zachariason and Dan Aune said they did not see any need for a special election. Council member Amy Degerstrom moved to fill the position of mayor via open application for appointment, and it was unanimously approved.
Applications can be obtained at the Lake Park city office.
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Those who apply should also include a letter of interest, detailing their background and experience.
The council will then conduct interviews with those wishing to fill the seat.
