The new members of Boyne City’s city commission were sworn in on Tuesday, Nov. 11 and a new mayor and mayor pro-tem were chosen.
In the Nov. 4 election, the now-former Mayor Tim Nemecek placed fourth on the ballot and Brian Kennedy placed last. Former Mayor Pro-Tem George Lasater and commissioner Marty Moody chose not to run for reelection.
Bridget Foltz, Rebecca L. Houser and Jennifer Beano Hampton were elected to the commission. Foltz finished with the most votes at 766 followed by Houser and Beano Hampton.
The Boyne City City Commission is made up of five elected officials: mayor, mayor pro-tem and three commissioners. The other two city commissioners, Bob Farrell and Sandy Pritchard, have two years remaining on their terms.
The new commission chose Farrell to be the new mayor and Houser to be mayor pro-tem.
The election was followed by controversy when the commission approved the appointment of the new city manager, Sam Demel, two days after the new commissioners were elected, but before they could be sworn in.
During the Nov. 11 meeting, several public commenters expressed disappointment in the timing of Demel’s hiring, arguing that it should have been the responsibility of the new commission.
What’s the situation with the Boyne City City Manager?
The commission fired its last city manager, Mike Cain, back in March over marginal performance after a formal review process. The commission received criticism from the public over this move. Many expressed disapproval over how Cain was removed after more than two decades in the role.
In May, the commission hired former Elk Rapids Village Manager John Matthews to act as interim city manager. Later in the summer, they voted to begin the hiring process for Elle Cole, the acting city manager for Saline, however, Cole ultimately declined the offer.
In a special meeting on Oct. 28, the commission interviewed three new candidates, including Demel, who was then hired during another special meeting on Nov. 6.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: New Boyne City commissioners take oaths, name mayor and mayor pro-tem
Reporting by Tess Ware, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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