Time is running out for people to run to fill the 5th District seat of the Mower County Board of Commissioners. The period to file an affidavit of candidacy closes at 5 p.m. today.

Ron Felten filed an affidavit of candidacy yesterday to bring the number of candidates to six.

Felten was elected to the Austin Utility Board twice and will complete his second term in 2010. Felten, who said he’s thought about running for commissioner in the past, said he decided to run to expand on his experience with the utility board.

Felten, 51, served on the Austin Fire Department for about 16 years, spending most of that time as the city fire marshal. He currently sells real estate for Fawver Agency Real Estate.

If elected, Felten said he’d bring a broad range of experience to the job of county commissioner, and he said his history with the Austin Utility Board, area real estate and the fire department would be beneficial to role.

According to Mower County Auditor-Treasurer Doug Groh, Felten would have to resign from the utility board if he were elected to the board of commissioners because commissioners can’t serve on two elected offices. Felten wouldn’t have to resign until after the special election.

Felten is a lifelong Austin resident who currently lives at 602 6th Ave. S.W.

Mike Ankeny, Ralph Donkers, Mary Keenan, David Kolb and Marvin Repinski have also filed affidavits of candidacy.

With six candidates, a special primary will likely be held Jan. 20 to determine two candidates for the Feb. 10 special election.