Zac Burden selected as new mayor

Editor’s Note: This story has been edited to correct information previously reported and later said to be inaccurate. 

At a special meeting Monday night, the Kirksville City Council swore in its new members and unanimously voted to elect Zac Burden as mayor.

Three council seats were open in the last municipal election, and Burden won the most votes, followed by Jessica Parks and former mayor Chuck Long.

Because he received the third most votes, Long will serve a one-year term on the Council, whereas Burden and Parks will each serve three-year terms.

Burden was nominated for the mayor position by Phillip Biston and seconded by Long, who will now serve as mayor pro tem.

As mayor, Burden will lead the Council meetings and be at the forefront of Kirksville’s local government. Additionally, he acts as the legal signatory for the city and will represent the government at local and state events.

“I really enjoyed, in my short tenure on the Council, attending as many things as possible and going to represent a city — and a city government that I’m incredibly proud of,” Burden said. “To be able to do that in the capacity of mayor is a real exciting opportunity, so I really hope that I can do the citizens of Kirksville proud by being their very visible representative.”

Burden said he hopes to make Council meetings more engaging and enjoyable by furthering community discussion on the issues that face the council.

Burden said he is excited to work with the new Council to complete some of the projects the city is already working on, such as improving city roads, upgrading parks and building the new water tower.