The Ellsworth City Council approved the selection of Chad Murphy, Sterling, to be the city’s next police chief at the Dec. 22 meeting.

“I’m excited,” Murphy said. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Murphy previously worked three years as an investigator for the Rice County Attorney’s Office. Before that, he served as Rice County Undersheriff.

Murphy became certified in law enforcement in 2001 and has been in law enforcement since 1991.

Murphy’s selection came after a five-minute executive session with Mayor Dan Finnegan and Interim City Administrator Allen Dinkel to discuss nonelected personnel (chief of police position).

No action was taken after the executive session.

According to Dinkel, Murphy is expected to start his new job in Ellsworth on or about Feb. 1.

In other business:

• Resolution 202537 was approved. This resolution allows for the establishment of the City of Ellsworth Health Insurance Trust Fund for the health plan approved for city employees for 2026 and subsequent years the plan is in place.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at city hall.