The Steelville City Council appointed now-former Ward 2 Alderman Jason Ward  as mayor. The announcement was made after the abrupt departure of former mayor, Duane DeRennaux, who resigned on Aug. 31 citing “an error in judgment pertaining to the nepotism clause of the state of Missouri.”

During a special Aug. 7 meeting, called to discuss and vote on filling the vacant mayoral seat, Ward was unanimously appointed to the position by city council members. All sitting aldermen were present for the decision and votes yes, including Ward 1 Alderman Curtis Crouch, Ward 1 Alderman Bill Bennett, Ward 2 Alderman Lula Patterson and now-former Ward 2 Alderman Jason Ward. Ward will serve as acting mayor until the next election cycle, which is April 7, 2027, following which the elected mayor will serve a one-year term until April 2028, at which point the mayoral term will return to the standard two-year term.

Ward 1 Alderman Curtis Crouch, who nominated Ward to be acting mayor, said that he did so because he knows Ward is trustworthy.

“I trust him, I have faith in him, and I think he’s a good candidate,” Crouch said.

With Ward now serving as the council-appointed mayor, the Ward 2 Alderman seat is vacant. At the meeting, city council members  considered appointing a Ward 2 Alderman immediately, but after some discussion, decided to wait until a later date in order to have time to consider a roster of candidates.

“As far as filling the vacant seat, I personally think we should let that ride for a couple of meetings at least, kind of see what sort of candidates are out there, what kind of interest there is, so we end up with a slate of people to choose from potentially,” Crouch said.

Ward said that the vacant Ward 2 seat should be filled soon.

“One concern is that we then would only have three council members. If one of those council members was not available for a meeting, then we can’t have a meeting,” Ward said, adding that care should be taken in the selection process “instead of making a rash decision, throwing somebody in just because they’re a warm body.”

City requirements are such that a new Ward 2 Alderman would have to be 21-years-old, reside in Ward 2 and must have lived in the city for at least one year.

The council ultimately decided to table the appointment of a new Ward 2 Alderman, and expects to take up the issue at its Aug. 24 meeting.