Kim Peterson, an elementary school nurse for USD 257 for the past 18 years, is the newest Iola City Council member.
Peterson was appointed to fill the Ward 3 position vacated in November by Michael Middleton, who has moved out of Iolas Third Ward.
Peterson will serve the final year of the four-year term originally held by Austin Sigg before his resignation in 2017 precipitated Middletons appointment and will decide by next November whether to run for re-election.
Im new to all of this, Peterson said following the conclusion of Mondays meeting. Im coming in open-minded. Im hoping to learn a lot.
Petersons appointment by Mayor Jon Wells was unanimously confirmed by the other seven Council members.
She was one of seven applicants under consideration. The others were Robie Fountain, Steven Henderson, Joseph Hess, Loren Mitchell, Kyle King and Ashley Varner.
We had seven applicants, and they were all very qualified, and they all brought something unique, Wells said, adding he approached each with the same set of questions while making his decision.
This was very tough, Wells said.
Wells said he got back in touch with six of the seven by last Friday to inform them of the decision. He was unsuccessful after repeated attempts to reach the seventh.
Wells reminded each that the seat will be up for re-election next year, and encouraged them to place their candidacy in front of local voters.
YEAR-END budget amendments to the capital projects, library and convention and tourism funds were approved. The library funds budget authority was hiked $1,349, while the tourism fund went from $80,000 to $92,150, to reflect higher revenues and expenditures from when the 2018 budget was ratified.
The capital projects spending, which went from $780,000 to $1,549,824, was to accommodate the citys $670,000 water plant payment, and a bleacher replacement project at Riverside Park.
COUNCIL members approved 2019 cereal malt beverage licenses for several local businesses.
