Polk City will appoint new council member

Polk City Councilman Jeff Walters will resign his position on the City Council this month.

Walters is moving to Fort Dodge, where he and his wife are pursuing career opportunities. He works for Snyder & Associates, which has an office in Fort Dodge.

The Polk City council on Monday voted to appoint someone to fill the remainder of his term, which expires at the end of the year.

Mayor Jason Morse said it made more sense to appoint someone for 10 months than to spend money on a special election.

The appointment will be made at the council’s Feb. 23 meeting, which will be Walters’ last.

“It was tough when Jeff hit me up about this,” Morse said at Monday’s meeting. “We’re going to miss (him) a lot.”

In other business

•City Administrator Gary Mahannah reported light poles and lights are being installed along Highway 415 inside the city limits by MidAmerican Energy.

•Dan Lane will represent Polk City on the Bike & Pedestrian Roundtable of the Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization.