MANSFIELD — A unified Mansfield City Council is ready to launch into 2026 when two members take seats in chambers for the first time.
All of the local lawmakers — including incoming 1st Ward Councilman Michael Miranda and 3rd Ward Councilwoman Crystal Davis Weese — met Thursday evening at the Ohio State Reformatory to establish chairs and members for all 12 of council’s standing committees.
The three-member committees help guide legislation in their areas through council. Every council member was selected to chair at least committee.
Though City Council is divided politically among the eight voting seats — four Republicans, three Democrats and one Independent — there was no real disagreement on who got what committee assignments.
In fact, there were no challenges and decisions were made by simple voice acclamation.
Council President Phil Scott, a fourth Democrat, only votes in the event of a tie among the eight, which hasn’t happened since 2020.
Current 1st Ward Councilwoman Laura Burns didn’t seek re-election and Davis Weese defeated current 3rd Ward Councilman Rev. El Akuchie in November.
The joint Republican-Democrat caucus meeting on Thursday also included Independent 5th Ward Councilman Aurelio Diaz.
Committee chairs were divided rather equally with five for Republicans, four for Democrats and two Independent.
Here are the committee assignments decided:
Airport — Aurelio Diaz (I), chair; Shari Robertson (R), vice chair; Crystal Davis Weese (D)(member)
Claims — Robertson, chair; Cynthia Daley (D), vice chair; Mike Miranda (R), member
Economic Development — David Falquette (R), chair; Robertson, vice chair; Miranda, member
Employee relations — Cheryl Meier (D), chair; Daley, vice chair; Robertson, member
Finance — Falquette, chair; Robertson, vice chair; Deborah Mount (R), member
Public utilities — Miranda, chair; Daley, vice chair; Mount, member
Parks & recreation — Davis Weese, chair; Diaz, vice chair; Meier, member
Public affairs — Robertson, chair; Meier, vice chair; Davis Weese, member
Rules — Daley, chair; Miranda, vice chair; Davis Weese, member
Safety — Meier, chair; Mount, vice chair; Miranda, member
Streets & traffic — Diaz, chair; Daley, vice chair; Mount, member
Zoning — Mount, chair; Meier, vice chair; Falquette, member
City Council also again selected Falquette to serve as president pro tempore when Scott is absent during any council meetings.
Delaine Weiner was again selected Clerk of Council and Laconia James-Ross will remain deputy clerk.
The final City Council meeting scheduled for 2025, which will include Burns and Akuchie, is scheduled Tuesday.