Shelbyville council swears in members, reappoints William Christie as vice mayor and names board representatives

Shelbyville’s City Council on Dec. 12 held a swearing‑in ceremony for several council members, reappointed William Christie as vice mayor and announced council representatives for multiple city boards and commissions.

The meeting opened with an invocation by Circuit Court Judge Wyatt Burke, who told the council "the first requisite of a good citizen ... is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight," before the mayor administered oaths of office. Council members sworn in during the ceremony included Henry Feldhais, Betsy Noel and Josh Blevins; each repeated the oath and was congratulated by the mayor and attendees.

After the oath ceremony, the council reconvened its regular meeting at about 6:34 p.m. and elected William Christie vice mayor for a two‑year term. The mayor opened nominations under the city charter (article 3, section 2); Christie was nominated, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The mayor also outlined recommended council appointments to city boards and commissions, asking specific council members to represent Shelbyville on the ADA Authority, Airport Authority, Bedford County Railroad Authority, Bedford County Library Board, planning commission, pension committee, parks and recreation board, zoning and construction appeals boards, and other committees.

Council members were asked to serve as liaisons and to report back to the full council. The mayor said he considered members’ backgrounds in making assignments and indicated some mayoral appointments would be finalized in January.

The meeting closed for the evening’s business session after the appointments and other regular agenda items.