Sauk Rapids City Council Appoints Newest Member

SAUK RAPIDS - The Sauk Rapids city council has unanimously appointed their newest colleague. During their meeting Monday night, the council voted to appoint Jason Ellering to an open seat on the council.

Because there's less than two years remaining on the term, the council has the ability to appoint, rather than hold a special election.

Ellering says this is his first time holding any type of public office. He says building on the city's infrastructure is something he's interested in working on.

I want to make Sauk Rapids more of a draw to residents and to businesses, obviously expand that way.  And also I'd like to learn more about the field house project.  I think that could help the city to attract residents and businesses.

Ellering says he's a St. Cloud native, and he and his family moved to Sauk Rapids in 2011.

He will officially be sworn in at the February 27th meeting.

The seat became vacant when Kurt Hunstiger won the election to become mayor in November.

Nine people applied for the job, five of them were brought in earlier this month for interviews.