SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor
Van Wert City Council’s first meeting of 2024 will take place tonight and things will look decidedly different than the previous two years.
Thad Eikenbary will officially take over as council president. He defeated former Fourth Ward Councilman Andrew Davis and Kirby Kelly in November and he’s replacing Jerry Mazur, who retired from public service. Two other new council members will sit in on their first meeting tonight – At-Large Councilwoman Jana Ringwald and Second Ward Councilman Jordan Dettrow, who’s filling the seat previously held by David Stinnett, who chose not to seek re-election. Ringwald is filling the seat previously held by Bill Marshall. Marshall is filling the Fourth Ward seat previously occupied by Davis.
Along with council changes, new City Auditor Erika Blackmore will attend her first meeting in that role. She’s replacing longtime Auditor Martha Balyeat, who retired December 31.
According to the agenda, council committee chairs have been chosen for 2024, and there’s a new look for the new year:
Finance: Jana Ringwald
Streets and Alleys: Jeff Kallas
Judiciary and Annexation: Judy Bowers
Properties and Equipment: Jeff Agler
Health, Service and Safety: Julie Moore
Economic Development: Bill Marshall
During the previous two-year term, council committees looked like this:
Finance: Jeff Agler
Streets and Alleys: Julie Moore
Judiciary and Annexation: Andrew Davis
Properties and Equipment: David Stinnett
Health, Service and Safety: Bill Marshall
Economic Development: Jeff Kallas
At some point, council members are expected to discuss whether to continue with committees in their present form, revise committees and how they operate or do away with them altogether. Law Director John Hatcher has been tasked with researching options.
As for legislation, there is none on tonight’s agenda.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Municipal Building, 515 E. Main St.
