The agenda for tonight’s Newton City Council meeting is perhaps one of the lightest in the past several weeks. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be tackling some very important matters.

Perhaps foremost on the schedule tonight will be the anticipated announcement that councilors wish to appoint a new mayor to replace Chaz Allen, who officially resigned Sunday. Councilor Mike Hansen has already thrown his hat in the ring for consideration, and was endorsed last month by Allen.

How the council will go about appointing the next mayor of Newton will likely be open for discussion. Iowa Code does not specify a process for appointing a new mayor, leaving it at the discretion of the City Council. City Administrator Bob Knabel has asked councilors to lay out its plan for appointment at tonight’s meeting.