Local business owner Luke Bauer has been sworn into the Stayton City Council after the resignation of former Councilor David Gilio in December.
During the council’s Jan. 6 regular meeting, Bauer, owner of Bauer Built Construction, was unanimously appointed to serve the remainder of Gilio’s term through 2026.
Gilio resigned during the council’s Dec. 16, 2024, meeting effective that night, citing increasing responsibilities professionally and personally. He is a founder of Skyline Video Productions, is a youth pastor at Grace Bible Fellowship and said his family recently had a third child.
Gilio said he has “absolutely loved” working on the council, and said the timing of his resignation should help an appointee integrate with the new council seated in January.
He recommended Bauer be appointed to the position, as Bauer received broad voter support during the Nov. 5, 2024 council election.
Bauer came in third ina race for two open seats by a margin of 12 votes.
“(Bauer) has a lot of values that I think are a reflection of this community,” said Gilio.
The council reached a consensus that night and on Jan. 6 approved a resolution to appoint Bauer 4-0, after which Bauer was sworn in.
Also sworn in were councilors Ken Carey and Steve Sims, who took first and second in the election, respectively.
Carey owns businesses including Baked and Loaded Potatoes. This is his first experience in elected office.
Sims, a retired Navy commander, was first appointed to the council in 2023 and first elected in 2024.
Sims was also reappointed council president for 2025, with council members commending him for his service in the role during 2024. This included acting as mayor pro-tem from Sept. 24 to Dec. 16, 2024, after Brian Quigley left office for medical reasons.
