Evan Grong Steps Downs From Milbank City Council

Evan Grong has resigned from the Milbank City Council. His last meeting as a councilman was on April 13.

Grong was elected to a two-year term in 2018. He had also been appointed to a one-year term from 2014-2015. According to Grong, his focus as a councilman was as the representative of the Milbank Fire Department and the finance department. He says he is no longer eligible to serve the City of Milbank because his family is relocating to a residence outside the city limits.

Milbank Mayor Pat Raffety will select Grong’s replacement. Raffety plans to announce his choice for Grong’s successor at the July city council meeting. The appointment is subject to council approval and will coincide with the yearly council members’ terms and the mayor’s annual department head appointments.

Referring to Grong, Raffety said, “His attention to detail and willingness to question different items are an asset to the work he has done. His work in the finance department is very thorough and meticulous. He is not happy until everything is complete in an acceptable manner. Evan will be missed on the City Council but I wish him the best with his relocation, and know his family is really looking forward to this next chapter of their lives as well.”

Reflecting on his time in office, Grong says, “I spent a great deal of it working with the city administrator, finance officer, and mayor on the finances of the City of Milbank. Related to this, were the annual capital improvement plans and budgeting. These are areas I felt very strongly about. During my time on the council, I also served on a committee for the hiring of our current city administrator, John Forman. John has stepped into this role and stepped up as a leader for the City of Milbank after the departure of our previous long time city administrator, Jason Kettwig. Jason left some pretty big shoes to fill, and John has done an amazing job of doing just that.”

Grong says, “There are many significant projects currently in the works such as Unity Square, the baseball field project, and the recently completed Main Street project. We are a growing and thriving community and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Milbank and its residents.”