Ben Stahl, who was the fifth highest vote getter – the top four were seated on council - in the November Bluffton council election, is now a council member.
He was appointed to the council vacancy, which opened when council member Richard Johnson became mayor in late December.
His appointment follows a tradition by council of naming the next-in-line highest vote getter to fill a council vacancy. The previous council did not follow this tradition.
Bluffton school board reorganizes for a new year on Monday. Three re-elected board members will take the oath of office for another four years and several board appointments will follow.
The three re-elected board members are Brad Fruchey, Ken Lugibihl and Wes Klinger.
Among appointments are:
• Board president and vice-president
• Over a dozen standing authorizations affecting the treasurer and superintendent
• The 2018 meeting schedule
• Board representatives to various committees, delegates and liaisons
It’s a new year and Bluffton council meets in its new-yet-familiar look for the first time in 2018 on Monday.
Monday is Richard Johnson’s first official meeting as mayor. It is also the first meeting for new council members Jerry Cupples, Mitch Kingsley and David Steiner.
The Monday agenda is largely a reorganization session. Although not on the agenda, council has the option of selecting a council member to replace Johnson who became mayor at the resignation of Judy Augsburger at the final 2017 meeting.
A swearing in of Bluffton’s council winners from the Nov. 7 general election takes place at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 29, in the town hall, according to Laura Ewing, village fiscal officers.
Four council members who will begin their four-year terms are Jerry Cupples, Mitch Kingsley, David Steiner and Phill Talavinia.
Cupples, Kingsley and Steiner each served previously on council and are returning after a few years of absence. Talavinia already serves and was reelected to his seat.
In a surprise announcement, Judy Augsburger resigned her position as Bluffton mayor at the conclusion of Monday’s council meeting (Dec. 18).
Her resignation was not on the agenda distributed on Friday. However, it must not have been a total surprise to the council because at the end of the meeting she was presented a plaque for her years as mayor by Richard Johnson.
Upon the resignation of a mayor, the council president assumes the mayoral position. Johnson, council president, was immediately sworn in as mayor upon Augsburger resignation.
Bluffton school board will consider on some year-end actions at its Monday night school board meeting.
Among action to be consider is approval of:
• a bus bid from Cardinal Bus Sales
• Nancy Yeager to a 7-year term on the Bluffton Public Library board
• several board policies ranging from non-discrimination on the basis of sexual harassment to truancy
• 2018-19 open enrollment policy
The board will also act on approval of a high school biology field trip to Florida Keys June 4 to June 12, 2018.
