Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson announced at the Dec. 1 City Council workshop he appointed Jim Helbling as municipal judge for a four-year term.

Several weeks ago, Johnson explained, the city discovered it had a Dec. 1 deadline to appoint a new municipal judge.

Johnson said instead of reappointing Judge Douglas Haake, he decided he wanted to get all applications in place, including Haake’s, to review.

He said he received 26 applications for the judgeship and a panel will review the applications.

“We want to appoint and reappoint someone who fits Bonney Lake,” Johnson said. “Jim has agreed to help us out until we find someone.”

Helbling retired two years ago and the city appointed Haake to fill Helbling’s two-year term.