Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections And Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newport commissioners sworn in; board approves two personnel appointments
Summary
The Newport Board of Commissioners took the oath of office for the 2025–27 terms, and the board approved appointments including a vice mayor and a payroll accounts payable specialist during a Jan. 13 special meeting.
The newly seated Board of Commissioners in Newport, Kentucky, took the oath of office Jan. 13 and immediately approved two personnel actions, including the appointment of a vice mayor and a payroll accounts payable specialist.
The oath was administered by Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller, who asked the commissioners and the mayor to “stand up, raise your right hand” and affirm they would “support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth.” Mayor Cadooley then presided over the meeting.
The board voted to appoint Julie Smith Morrow to the position of vice mayor effective Jan. 1, 2025. The motion was moved and seconded and carried on a roll call. The board also appointed Melissa Hofstetter to the position of payroll accounts payable specialist in the finance department, effective Jan. 20, 2025. City Manager John Hayden described Hofstetter as having “experience in both payroll and AP” and said the hire will allow current staff to overlap for knowledge transfer ahead of an anticipated retirement.
Why it matters: the appointments put leadership and back-office staffing in place for the new commission year and are intended to maintain continuity in key administrative functions.
Details and context: Hayden told the commission the payroll appointment was planned so a current payroll specialist approaching retirement could train a successor. “She’s already has experience in both payroll and AP and she’s gonna be a great fit for the department,” Hayden said. The board called the roll and the motions passed.
Department heads and commissioners used the meeting to congratulate the new and returning officials. Several members of the commission and staff acknowledged recent community losses, including longtime attendee Pat Crowley, and expressed appreciation for public-works crews who cleared heavy snowfall.
Votes at a glance: The board took roll-call votes on the appointments and approved them during the Jan. 13 special meeting. Approval of the Dec. 9, 2024 regular meeting minutes also passed, with Commissioner Sutherland recorded as recused on that item.
The board adjourned after department head remarks. The commission also scheduled a retreat for Feb. 8 to discuss priorities and implementation steps.
