Former Mayor to be Honored Monday as the 2025 Sauk Rapids Citizen of the Year

Originally published April 23rd, 2025

Updated 6:51 a.m. May 12th, 2025

(KNSI) — Former Sauk Rapids Mayor Kurt Hunstiger will be honored as the 2025 Citizen of the Year at tonight’s City Council meeting.

Hunstiger says he was surprised to learn he won, as he was ambushed with the news at the Sauk Rapids Government Center and given balloons and a flowering plant as a gift.

New Sauk Rapids Mayor Jason Ellering nominated Hunstiger for the award. Ellering stated that Hunstiger’s contributions to the city are numerous and far-reaching. He highlighted Hunstiger’s passion for development and pointed to his decades of service starting in 1994 on the planning commission. He would go on to serve on the housing and redevelopment authority, the city council, and as mayor until he retired in 2024.

Ellering says one of Hunstiger’s most significant achievements was working with state and federal officials to build the Sauk Rapids Regional Bridge, which is credited with helping to save downtown. Hunstiger is also recognized for helping to complete numerous road projects, establishing a new public works building, constructing a new water treatment plant, and relocating the government center.

The official presentation to Hunstiger will take place during the city council meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the Sauk Rapids Government Center.

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