The swearing-in ceremonies for the mayor and City Council were held Tuesday evening following the May 3 General Election earlier this month.
Mayor Frank Ritchie won reelection and was sworn in to mark the start of his second term.
Joe Bateman was sworn in as the representative of District 2 and will now begin his first term on City Council.
District 4 City Councilman Bret A. Bunker ran unopposed and was also sworn-in. Bunker was appointed to the District 4 seat in September 2023 after former Councilman Bryce Boddie stepped down.
Watch a recording of the meeting online.
Council appoints Wolosin as Mayor Pro Tem
City Council voted 4-0 to reappoint District 1 Councilman Ty Wolosin to the position of Mayor Pro Tem. In this role, Councilman Wolosin steps in to perform the duties of the mayor in the event of his absence. This includes presiding over meetings, representing the City, and executing local laws in the mayor’s stead.
City Council terms extended to 3 years
During Tuesday’s meeting, City Council approved 4-0 on first reading an ordinance (2025-06) designating terms of office and establishing a staggered election cycle.
The ordinance will guide the transition of the City Council from two-year terms to three-year terms – an amendment to the City Charter that was approved by voters in the May 3 Special Election as Proposition A.
Under the ordinance, Mayor Ritchie and Councilman Bateman (District 2) will be the first City Council representatives to serve three-year terms. Their positions will appear on the ballot again in May 2028.
Listed below is the full transition schedule as outlined in the ordinance, showing the election year and the City Council positions to appear on the ballot in that year.
- 2026 – District 1 and District 3
- 2027 – District 4 and District 5
- 2028 – Mayor and District 2
- 2029 – District 1 and District 3
- 2030 – District 4 and District 5
- 2031 – Mayor and District 2
The ordinance will now move forward to a second reading at the June 10, 2025, meeting, when it will can be formally adopted.
