The Ione City Council held nominations and votes to select the mayor and vice mayor during its Dec. 16 meeting. Council members nominated the sitting vice mayor for mayor and nominated Stacy Rhodes for vice mayor. Voice votes were recorded as 'ayes have it' for each nomination.

Following the votes, councilors switched chairs. The newly seated mayor gave an acceptance address reviewing the past year's accomplishments—cited items included completion of an elementary-school access road, a new basketball court at Perry Oak Park, addition of pickleball at Howard Park, progress on sewer-plant capital projects, and completion of past-due audits—and pledged an open-door approach to governance.

The council did not record roll-call tallies for the leadership votes beyond the voice votes reported at the meeting. The new mayor asked for patience as they assumed the role and emphasized collaboration with staff and council members going forward.