New Electric City mayor, council members sworn in

A new Electric City mayor, as well as four new city council members, were sworn into office on Jan. 4 during a retreat in Ephrata.

City Administrator Russ Powers swore in the new mayor, Diane Kohout, and new council members Cate Slater, Bob Rupe, Brian Buche, and Cheryl Hoffman during their retreat, which was also attended by current Councilmember Aaron Derr.

"It was a day full of information and everyone greatly appreciated it," Kohout said in a note to The Star.

Kohout said that City Attorney Katherine Kennison was available for a question-and-answer session before the retreat ended, and that Ephrata Mayor Bruce Reim provided an orientation training that focused on public meetings and public officials' liability.

City Planner Kurt Danison also present the new officials with a draft capital facilities plan.