By Brenda Erdahl:
Less than halfway through his term, Maple Lake Mayor Todd Borell has resigned from his elected position.
Borell turned in his resignation Tuesday evening, Nov. 9 at a scheduled workshop. The next morning, Deputy Clerk and Zoning Administrator Elizabeth Borell turned in her resignation. Former Mayor Borell said her resignation and his have nothing to do with each other.
“I am leaving for personal reasons and have no further comment at this time,” he said in a statement to the press late last week.
City Administrator Renee Eckerly explained what will happen next. At the regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, Nov. 16, the council will pass a resolution declaring a vacancy on the city council. At that time the board will hear from the City Attorney who will give them some options on how to fill that vacancy. Since Borell’s two-year term was less than half over, state statute says they cannot appoint anyone until January without a special election. Until January, Deb Geyen, who holds the role of filling in for the mayor when he is out of town or on vacation, will continue those duties. Whoever the board decides to appoint, will be the incumbent on the November 2022 ballot. Appointees will have to be agreed upon by all board members. Current councilors may throw their hat in the ring, Eckerly said.
Eckerly said she planned to ask the council’s permission on Tuesday to start the hiring process to fill the vacant deputy clerk/zoning administrator position.