PARK RAPIDS — The Park Rapids City Council unanimously accepted the resignation of its mayor during its meeting Tuesday, Sept. 10.
The resignation was planned, with former Mayor Ryan Leckner announcing on Aug. 20 that it would be his last meeting with a new house built outside city limits.
"I just want to thank city staff and the city councils I’ve worked with," he said in council comments. "I’ve been doing this for almost 10 years. I wish I could continue, but I know you guys will do a good job."
Leckner was initially appointed to the council to fill a vacancy in 2015. He previously served on the Henrietta Township Board before his original property was annexed into the city.
Leckner won the mayorship in 2018 on a write-in campaign, beating out the two candidates on the ballot in the November election.
The Park Rapids Council will officially declare a vacancy at its next meeting later this month and appoint the mayoral replacement. Vice Mayor Liz Stone has been presiding over meetings since Leckner stepped away last month.
The Park Rapids mayor serves two-year terms, with the end of 2024 marking the end of Leckner’s term. Former Park Rapids Mayor Pat Mikesh is the sole candidate to take up the seat in 2025. Stone filed for one of two at-large council positions.
