Smithfield council sworn in; Mike Smith elected mayor, Bill Harris vice mayor

Newly elected members of the Smithfield Town Council were sworn in Jan. 7, and the council formally elected Councilman Mike Smith as mayor and Bill Harris as vice mayor.

The council convened the organizational meeting at Smithfield Town Hall, where Laura Smith, clerk of the circuit court, administered oaths to incoming council members. After the oath, the town attorney, Bill Riddick, opened nominations for mayor. Following a nomination and second, the council voted to elect Mike Smith as mayor by roll call; the vote was recorded as unanimous.

The council then opened nominations for vice mayor. A nomination for Bill Harris was moved and seconded, and the council elected Harris by unanimous roll call.

The changes return a newly constituted council to regular business. After the votes, Mayor Mike Smith thanked residents for their turnout and described the evening as “a special time” that showed increased citizen involvement. Vice Mayor Bill Harris and other council members offered congratulatory remarks and pledged to pursue outreach and community engagement.

What happened next: Mayor Smith presided over the remainder of the meeting, including appointments to committees and the day’s agenda items.

Votes at a glance

- Election of Mike Smith as mayor — Motion: nomination for Mike Smith (nomination and second recorded). Vote: Cutler Aye; Vice Mayor Harris Yes; Butler Yes; Biebermeyer Yes; Brooks Yes; Bowman Yes; Mayor Smith (vote recorded when asked) — outcome: elected (unanimous). - Election of Bill Harris as vice mayor — Motion: nomination for Bill Harris (nomination and second recorded). Vote: unanimous — outcome: elected (unanimous).