By DONNA THORNTON, Editor
The Mastin Room at the Boaz Public Library was crowded Nov. 3 as a largely new administration was sworn to lead the city for the next four years.
The 2025 municipal election found two council members not seeking reelection and one running unopposed, while the mayor and two other council seats were won by challengers.
Marshall County Circuit Judge Tim Riley administered the oath of office for each of the officer holders, and the members of the council got down to business.
They adopted an ordinance setting the order of procedure for council meetings, and appointed Place 1 Council member Rodney Frix as mayor pro tempore.
The council then approved a series of resolutions establishing positions and specifying council members as “advisory council liaison” for various functions in the city. Mayor Tim Walker explained that he’d looked at the council members’ backgrounds and experience and appointed them as liaison in an area that matches their expertise. Walker said committee appointments would come later.
Council members were approved for the following new liaison positions, to serve terms concurrent with the mayor’s term unless otherwise determined by the council:
Frix, as adviser for business, engineering and planning.
Steven Bates, as adviser for sustainable infrastructure.
Alan Hales, as adviser for commercial and community development.
Matt Brannon, as adviser for public safety.
Caleb Williams, as adviser for education and workforce development.
The council adopted resolutions keeping a number of people who keep the city running in the positions they currently hold. Walker said normally, an incoming mayor and council will make those appointments for a three-month period, but the Boaz council approved reappointments without setting a reconsideration date.
“We have a lot of confidence in the people we’re appointing,” the mayor said.
Those reappointed were:
• Mike Turner, police chief.
• Jeff Beck, fire chief.
• Beth Stephens, city clerk/treasurer.
Shannon Mitchell was appointed as municipal judge, and the council approved the use of present depositories for municipal funds.
Walker expressed excitement about the term of office. He said the meeting marked “a special night in Boaz. We’re going to make it a special four years. God’s going to bless us.”
The council’s next meeting was scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10.
Fletcher Williams holds the Bible as his father, Caleb, right, takes the oath of office as a member of the Boaz City Council on Nov. 3. From left are Judge Tim Riley and Fletcher, Hailey, Finley and Caleb Williams. Photo by DONNA THORNTON l The Leader
