Steelville City Aldermen and Mayor Jason Ward voted unanimously to appoint Jennifer Hurd to the position of alderman for Ward 2 during the Sept. 21 city council meeting. Hurd was sworn in following the vote and immediately began her duties as a voting member of the Steelville City Council.

The appointment came after a weeks-long search by the city for candidates to fill the seat, which was left vacant after former Ward 2 Alderman Jason Ward was appointed Mayor of Steelville on Aug. 7 due to the resignation of former Steelville Mayor Duane DeRennaux on July 31.

Ward said that three individuals contacted City Hall to express interest in being appointed to the seat – Waylon Housewright, Matt Lorraine and Hurd.

“This was not a decision that was made lightly,” said Ward, who added that after speaking individually with council members and city department heads to seek advice on who the city council should appoint, Hurd emerged as the best choice. Ultimately, Ward recommended that the council appoint Hurd.

Hurd, who works as a paraprofessional at Steelville R-3 School District, will serve as Ward 2 alderman until the end of the current two-year-term, which will end in April 2027. Ward’s appointment as mayor will also end in April of next year. Then, both Hurd and Ward will have the option to run for full two-year-terms during the municipal election in April.

Hurd said it is likely that she will run for the seat once the current term comes to an end, adding that she wanted to serve on the Steelville City Council in order to help plan for the city’s long-term future.

“I just want to see some changes, see (the city) grow, and bringing some new businesses and kind of plan for the future,” Hurd said. “Instead of just looking at tomorrow, look at 10, 20 years down the road.”

Hurd, having taken over Ward’s seat, will also take over his responsibilities on the Police and Personnel Committee with Ward 2 Alderman Lula Patterson and the Streets Committee with Ward 1 Alderman Bill Bennett.

With Hurd appointed to represent Ward 2, all four of Steelville’s City Council seats are filled for the first time since July 31. While the Ward 2 seat was empty, the city council risked being unable to have a quorum and hold meetings if even one alderman were sick or unable to attend a meeting.

Ward said that City Hall was able to handle city business while down an alderman, but that he’s glad the city is now fully represented.

“We were able to handle the general business of the city with only three council members,” Ward said. “But I’m very excited. I kind of hoped we would have had this maybe a couple of weeks ago, but were just trying to make sure that we made the right decision.”

Hurd is new to the council, but she is no stranger to Steelville city politics. Hurd previously sought the position of Alderman Ward 2 during the 2024 municipal election, where she unsuccessfully ran against Patterson. Hurd also served on the Parks and Recreation Board for 10 years.

Patterson said she thinks Hurd will be a good fit for the position thanks in part to her background working in the community.

“I think (Hurd) is going to be great,” said Patterson. “She knows what she’s doing as she’s got the experience.”

Ward also pointed to Hurd’s experience in city government as his reason for nominating her.

“Not only was (Hurd) interested in the position, but she has experience in dealing with the city as well. That was really the reason why she was my nomination,” Ward said.

Hurd is a mother of three children. She said she wants to help secure Steelville’s future for her children.

“I want to see Steelville grow and be here for them, and not have them worry how we are going to pay for upgrades to the city in 20 years,” Hurd said.