TYRONE — In a split vote, Tyrone Borough Council members agreed Monday to appoint a new member to fill a vacancy that has been open since the end of December.

Local business owner David Snyder, 34, was appointed to the seat following a public interview at Monday’s council meeting.

During the public interview — a series of 10 questions asked by council members — Snyder, a borough native, recounted his childhood in Tyrone.

Snyder said he faced some personal struggles, and community members often offered him support. A council position will allow him to reciprocate that assistance, he said.

“My real focus is I have a passion,” he said after the meeting. “I’m motivated by communicating with the people who live here.”

Snyder owns Ingenuity Media LLC, which allows for a flexible schedule conducive to overseeing borough business.

“I can tell myself when to take off,” he said.

Council members voted to appoint Snyder to the seat, with Councilman Charles Mills dissenting.

Snyder is filling a seat that was left vacant when former Council­woman Christy Ray resigned in December because she moved to a home outside of borough limits.

Also seeking the seat on Monday was Sarah Miller, a former councilwoman.

Soon, council members will have to fill two more positions, as both former Mayor Bill Fink and former Borough Manager Phyllis Garhart resigned earlier this year.

Despite winning a seat Monday, Snyder must run for re-election when the term expires at the end of this year.

Three council seats will be up for election this year, and four candidates are running.

Those candidates included Snyder and Miller, as well as Shirley Dawson and Terry Richardson.

Council members William Latchford and Courtney Rhoades are not seeking re-election.

However, Latchford and Mills are both running for mayor.