Bonners Ferry City Council voted unanimously to appoint Realtor Chris Clark to fill a vacant seat on council.

Clark, who for 15 years also served as pastor for Wellspring Community Church in Bonners Ferry, will be sworn in during council’s first meeting in January. He replaces David Sims, who resigned last week to accept the job of assistant city administrator.

Council on Dec. 18 unanimously approved Sims’ hiring. He will be paid $54,000 a year and begin working on Jan. 2. Sims replaces city engineer Mike Klaus, who resigned to do private work.

Mayor David Anderson said the city received 13 applicants for the assistant city administrator’s position. Three were interviewed.

“Dave Sims is highly qualified and he can hit the deck running,” Anderson said. “The only down side is we will lose him on council.”

A 1982 Bonners Ferry High School graduate, Sims received a bachelor’s in materials engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. He has worked as the scan coordinator for seven years at Boundary Trading Co.

Idaho law dictates the mayor must choose someone to fill a vacancy on council. City council must approve the mayor’s appointment.

Anderson recommended Clark.

“It was my feeling that (we choose) a city resident with some understanding (of city government),” Anderson said. “I don’t know him personally, but am aware of his volunteer work.”

“I think he’ll be a good choice,” added councilman David Gray. “He’s community-oriented and open minded.”

In addition, Clark served as a Boundary County Commissioner from 1986 to 1990.

“I am very pleased with their vote of confidence and hope to fulfill their expectations,” he said.

Clark has lived in Bonners Ferry since moving here with his family in 1966. He graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1969 and received a business degree in 1972 from University of Idaho.

Clark operated the former Cone’s Floor Covering and former Advanced Arts, both in Bonners Ferry. He is currently office manager and associate broker for Coldwell Banker real estate.

“I’ve been feeling the need to get back involved in the community in a service capacity, and the timing seemed right,” he said.

Clark will be paid $1,800 a year to serve on city council.