ENGLEWOOD — A special meeting was held Dec. 5 by the city of Englewood to swear in members that earned seats on council as a result of the Nov. 7 general election.

Taking the oath of office was newly elected Mayor Cathy McGrail, Councilmembers Steve Henne and Brad Daugherty who were re-elected, and newly elected Councilmember Fred Huelsman. Daugherty was also sworn in as vice mayor.

McGrail joined city council in 2011, a seat she held until winning her bid to become mayor. Huelsman ran unopposed to fill the seat previously held by McGrail.

Daugherty was elected to council in 2015 and has served as vice mayor since 2019. Henne was appointed to council in September 2018 to fill an unexpired term.

Marla Goodrich was sworn in as clerk of council. She was appointed clerk of council and administrative assistant to the city manager in July after Kerry Norman was promoted to human resources director.

Goodrich previously served as economic development administrative assistant from April 2018 until July 2023.

Council also held a public hearing for the 2024 budget. No one in the audience had questions about the budget. Council unanimously approved the budget for 2024 totaling $43,480,672.

“The 2024 budget reflects an increase in personal services which will provide for council approved changes to staffing levels, a conservative adjustment to the wage tables, step increases, turnover, potential retirement pay-outs and premiums for Workers’ Compensation and employee health benefits,” said City Manager Eric Smith in a memo to council.

Bill 23-17 to make appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures during fiscal year 2024 ending Dec. 31, 2024 was also unanimously approved.

In other business, council reappointed Bill Kindred and Veronica Showalter to the local board of tax review. Both will serve two year terms.

Councilmember Adrienne Draper was appointed as the city representative to the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission with City Manager Eric Smith designated as alternate, both for one-year terms.

Councilmember Andrew Gough was appointed for a two-year term on the planning commission while resident Brad Rarick was appointed to serve a four-year term.

Brent Fisher was newly appointed to serve a three-year term on the personnel advisory board to fill a vacancy created when Darren Sawmiller recently resigned from city council.

Newly elected council member Fred Huelsman was appointed to replace Cathy McGrail on the property maintenance board, a term that does expire. Huelsman may serve in that role as long as he wishes to or until council decides to make a change.

Council reappointed 11 people to serve two-year terms on the Festival and Arts Commission: Linda Bryan, Elizabeth Swanson, Kathy Weherley, Jerri Amos, Gregg Temple, Barbara Franz, Marilyn Schmidt, Kathie McDaniel, Barbara Hern, Judy Flee, and Cat Conley-Brookover.

Reach Ron Nunnari by email: [email protected].