Bonney Lake Mayor Neil Johnson on Saturday announced the appointment of Ronald Heslop as the city’s next municipal judge.

Longtime Bonney Lake judge James Helbling has filled the position since January, when he was reappointed to the bench in place of Doug Haake, who took over in 2008 after Helbling retired.

Heslop is expected to be confirmed as the next judge at the April 13 meeting of the city council.

According to a press release, Heslop was selected from a field of 62 applicants and has experience as a judge pro tem, serving in the Pierce County District Court as well as the Bonney Lake, Fife, Lakewood and Puyallup municipal courts.

Heslop has been a member of the Washington Bar Association since 1983 and received his law degree from the University of Puget Sound. Heslop has also owned his own law practice and a few other small businesses, including a towing company and a tire store.

Heslop is also a decorated veteran.

Heslop was selected after a process that included an individual exercise and interviews before a number of panels.

“I found Mr. Heslop to be a very capable and experienced municipal judge,” Johnson said in the press release. “His understanding of people and involvement in community affairs makes him an outstanding candidate.”

Johnson also cited Heslop’s business experience as a “plus” and said he knows what it means to live within a budget and provide customer service.