Mike McGinnis took the oath of office as mayor of Pontiac on Jan. 1, 2026, during a public swearing-in ceremony at Pontiac High School that also included the swearing-in of the city council and library board. Judge Cynthia Walker of the 50th District Court administered oaths to multiple library trustees and council members, and the program closed with a benediction and a reception for attendees.

In his inaugural address, McGinnis said the city is in its strongest financial position in decades, citing a "double A bond rating, and $67,000,000 in the fund reserves." He described the recent resolution of the long-running Phoenix Center matter and said the county demolished the structure, eliminating an estimated $5,000,000 liability for taxpayers. McGinnis credited state and federal grant dollars and said the city has secured more than $14,000,000 for demolition and construction related to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. project.

McGinnis outlined seven priorities for his first year in office: reorganizing City Hall to build operational excellence; making prompt use of time-sensitive funding including federal relief dollars; improving two-way communications with residents across age and technology groups; reimagining youth recreation facilities and operations; rebuilding neighborhood services delivered directly to residents; pursuing significant housing growth; and activating the city's arts and cultural community. "We're gonna make sure they get those results," McGinnis said, listing reorganization and rapid use of funding among his initial goals.

The ceremony also featured oath-taking and remarks from newly sworn council members and trustees. Council members who took oaths included Chris Jackson (District 1), Milana Jones (District 2), Mikhail Goodman (District 3), Kathalee James (District 4), William Carrington (District 5), Regina Campbell (District 6) and an at-large member (Adrian Austin). Several newly sworn members used their remarks to thank supporters and outline local priorities such as infrastructure improvements and housing quality. Chris Jackson closed his remarks with an appeal to the crowd: "Let's get to work." (paraphrase and direct quote attributable to Chris Jackson as spoken in the program).

McGinnis also announced community events and noted the city will mark the 100th anniversary of the Pontiac Motors brand with a summer convention and partnership with the Pontiac Transportation Museum. He acknowledged current and former local and county officials in the audience and singled out state lawmakers he said had delivered funding to the city.

The program concluded with a closing benediction by Pastor Frank Colon and an invitation for attendees to continue fellowship and a reception in the school cafeteria. No formal council votes or legislative actions were taken during the ceremony.