City of Rugby Ward 4 Council Member Craig Zachmeier resigned from his elected position Wednesday.

“It is with deep regret that I have decided to resign my position as Ward 4 City Councilman effective immediately,” Zachmeier wrote in an email sent to the mayor, other council members, auditors and local media. “When seeking office, I did not anticipate the time it would take to research the various subjects affecting the city. Thank You all for being public servants and serving the citizens of Rugby.”

Zachmeier, who is an agent with North Dakota’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, declined to comment beyond the resignation notice.

Mayor Arland Geiszler declined to comment.

Zachmeier was one of two new members elected to the council in June. Joel Berg was elected in Ward 3 and ran on a similar platform as Zachmeier, calling for more accountability and transparency. Berg was surprised to hear of the resignation.

“I think it’s a bad deal,” Berg said. “I think he did a good job.”

It was unclear at time of publication whether a mayoral appointment or special election will fill the vacancy. Zachmeier served as chairman of the Ordinance and Recreation Committee and was a member of the Public Works Committee.

Zachmeier won this year’s only council race with three candidates. He won 50.96 percent of the Ward 4 votes with 133. Doug Hauck received 70 votes (26.82 percent) and Chuck Longie received 58 votes (22.22 percent).

Hauck was unaware of the resignation when contacted Wednesday evening and didn’t rule out adding his name to be considered.

“It’s something I didn’t know of, but will take time to consider,” Hauck said.

Longie said he is definitely interested in filling the vacancy.

“I feel disappointed that Craig resigned,” Longie said. “I thought he was doing a fantastic job of pushing the city into the right direction. I?see it as an opportunity to try to do the same thing Craig was doing.”