Newark held a ceremonial swearing-in at City Hall in which newly elected and returning officials recited oaths of office and were welcomed by the presiding official.

The ceremony covered multiple offices. Carrie Masterson was sworn as clerk for the Licking County Municipal Court; Matthew George took the oath as Licking County Municipal Court judge; Brad (introduced in the transcript as Brad Piner and recorded as Brad Feitner Jr) recited the oath for city treasurer; and council members for Wards 1 through 7 — including Michael B. Howsam (Ward 1), Elizabeth Lyon (Ward 2), Molly Engle (Ward 3), Marky Labutis (newly sworn member; ward not specified in the transcript), Spencer Barker (Ward 5), Douglas T. Martin (Ward 6) and Michelle Newman (Ward 7) — each repeated the pledge to support the U.S. and Ohio constitutions and the ordinances of the City of Newark.

"I, Carrie Masterson, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America," Carrie Masterson said as she took the oath to serve as clerk of the Licking County Municipal Court.

The treasurer's oath was recorded as spoken by "Brad Feitner junior," who recited the pledge to "discharge the duties of treasurer of the City of Newark," after an introduction referencing "Brad Piner." The transcript contains both names in sequence; the record does not resolve whether those names refer to the same person or two different individuals.

Matthew George took the judicial oath and pledged to "administer justice without respect to persons" as the municipal judge for Licking County.

Presiding remarks emphasized the ceremonial nature of the event and the large turnout. The presiding official invited attendees to future council meetings and asked the newly sworn officials to remain for a group photograph.

No formal votes or policy actions were recorded during the ceremony; the proceedings were limited to oaths, brief congratulatory remarks and closing logistics. The council was asked to stay afterward for a photo and the presiding official encouraged public attendance at regular council meetings.