Mayor Judy Augsburger.

For the first time in the 153-year history of the Village of Bluffton, a woman presides in the mayor’s office. The historic event occurred during the Monday, June 2, council meeting.

Judy Augsburger, who became a council member on Jan. 1, 2014, is that woman. She succeeds Dennis Gallant as mayor. Gallant accepted a new job in Sandusky and resigned from his position on Monday evening.

Augsburger, a Bluffton resident since 1994, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She has over 25 years of corporate and public accounting experience.  She is currently the fiscal officer of Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio.

She holds a bachelor's degree from Bluffton College, is a member of The Institute of Management Accountants, Lima Chapter. She is also a member of The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, SHANNON Service Club, Ottawa Kiwanis Club and St. Mary's Catholic Church.

She is married to Dean Augsburger and the couple resides at 302 S. Main St.

The new mayor was appointed president of council at the May 19 council meeting. At that same meeting Dennis Gallant, mayor, announced his anticipated resignation due to his acceptance of a new job in Sandusky.

Following Augsburger’s swearing in a mayor, council acted to file her vacant seat.

By a 3-2 vote, David Steiner, a former council member and former village fiscal officer, was named to replace Augsburger on council. Mitch Kingsley, Joe Sehlhorst and Everett Collier voted to name Steiner to the vacant council seat. Voting no were Roger Warren and Sean Burrell.

Following Steiner’s appointment to council Kingsley moved that Steiner be named council president. That motion passed 5-1 with Warren voting no.

In the photo below are family members with Mayor Augsburger. Standing from left, her uncle and aunt, Don and Marie Laudick, husband Dean Augsburger, and son Rico Pena.