Steinbach city council members took their oath of office Tuesday night as they started a new four year term following the October election. Mayor Chris Goertzen also made his annual appointments including Michael Zwaagstra as Deputy Mayor.

"Michael Zwaagstra has continued to prove himself that he can run meetings well and he can also step in when I do have other functions to attend. I look forward to another year with him helping us out in that capacity."

Zwaagstra says he is pleased to stay in that role.

"There are a certain number of responsibilities the Deputy Mayor has. Obviously one of the key ones is filling in for the Mayor when the Mayor is away. Also, dealing with other matters such as representing the Mayor at some events when the Mayor is not able to attend and dealing with other matters as they arise. It's an important position and one that I've enjoyed over the last couple of years and I look forward to continuing over the next year."

Goertzen says he did change up some of this other appointments.

"We've put councillor Susan Penner on the Jake Epp Library Board. Susan is very keen on making sure that we continue to have good management of all our facilities and the library board will be a good fit for her. We also have councillor (John) Fehr who will be important on the Seine/Rat River Conservation District, making sure that we continue to have water retention happening around us in different municipalities and also continuing those good relationships that we have with our surrounding municipalities."

Other appointments include Earl Funk and Cari Penner to the RCMP Advisory Committee, Jac Siemens to the Steinbach/Hanover Joint Action Committee and Cari Penner and John Fehr to the Steinbach Community Development Corporation.

Councillors also approved their indemnity package. The mayor receives $29,000.00 a year, the deputy mayor $13,000.00 and councillors $11,000.00.