The Mount Vernon City Council will continue to meet bimonthly during 2026 with the adoption of its meeting schedule during an organizational meeting on Jan. 12.
According to a meeting video, council members elected Mel Severns as President Pro Tem to lead meetings in the absence of President Bruce Hawkins. If both are unavailable, the most senior council member will preside over meetings. The council also established a business casual dress code for October through May and a summer business casual code for June through September.
Sherman was reappointed as the clerk of council. Hawkins highlighted the necessity of appointing an assistant clerk for occasions when Sherman is absent. Public Safety Director Tanner Salyers suggested that a council member could assume this role. However, Law Director Rob Broeren expressed uncertainty about appointing a council member to a paid position, though Salyers noted that other Ohio cities practice this approach.
Salyers explained that the assistant clerk would only serve during council meetings, excluding responsibilities such as preparing agendas and minutes.
Council member Amber Keener, chair of the Employee and Community Relations Committee, will collaborate with Sherman to outline his duties. Once these are defined alongside those of the assistant clerk, Keener indicated they could determine who should fill the assistant clerk position.
The council also made appointments to various boards and commissions during the organizational meeting. Hawkins remains on the Audit Review Committee; Keener continues her one-year term with the Knox County Convention and Visitor's Bureau; John Ruckman retains his role on the Experience Mount Vernon Board for another year; and LeNan Hager was reappointed to a two-year term on the Foundation Park Conservancy Board.
