The Ankeny City Council voted Monday to appoint council member Bobbi Bentz to serve as the next mayor of Ankeny. She was sworn in following the vote.

Former mayor Mark Holm resigned from the role after his election to the Polk County Board of Supervisors in November. Bentz will serve the remainder of Holm’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2025.

“Bobbi is deeply involved and connected in Ankeny, and is well respected among other metro communities that we collaborate with on numerous complex issues. Bobbi will be Ankeny’s first female mayor, and is the most qualified candidate for the job,” council member Kelly Stearns said in a prepared statement.

Bentz has served on the City Council for 12 years and was appointed mayor pro tem in December 2021. In her time on the council, she has represented Ankeny on the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Metro Advisory Council, and the School/City Committee. She has also served on the Bravo Greater Des Moines board of directors, the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Ankeny Comprehensive 2040 Plan steering committee.

Bentz works as associate director of evidence and outcomes for national pharmaceutical company Eli Lily & Co. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and business from Cornell College, two master’s degrees from the University of Iowa in health administration and public health, and a doctorate degree from University of Iowa.

“It’s an honor to serve as Mayor of my hometown,” Bentz said in a prepared statement. “After serving 12 years as a council member with the last two as Mayor Pro-Tem, I have gained a deep understanding of our community’s needs and opportunities. I am excited to bring that experience to this new role.”

To fill the vacancy left by Bentz’s appointment, the City Council voted to provide a notice of intent to fill the council seat by appointment.