Five newly elected members of the Knoxville City Council were sworn into office at a public ceremony in Knoxville on stage before family, guests and city officials.

Vice Mayor Tommy Smith, who served as master of ceremonies, opened the event and introduced the oath administrator, the Honorable Judge Tyler Caviness. "I'm honored to be the master of ceremonies today as we swear in these new 5 city council members," Smith said, and asked attendees to recognize the family members and former and current officials in the audience.

Mayor India Kincannon addressed the gathering, thanked outgoing members and framed priorities for the new council. "Public service, as you know, is both a privilege and a responsibility," she said. Kincannon cited recent accomplishments and goals when describing the city's agenda, saying the city had "adding thousands of new homes, including 430 affordable new homes in just the past few months," and noting that Knoxville Police Department "will be at fully authorized force for the first time in years." She also referenced the city's new comprehensive plan update and the regional climate action plan called "Breathe."

Judge Caviness administered the oath of office to the five council members in sequence. The newly sworn members and the districts they were presented for were: Karen Adams (1st District); Nathan Honeycutt (2nd District); James Douglas Lloyd (3rd District); Matthew DeBardleben (4th District); and Denzel Grant (6th District). Each repeated the standard oath referencing the U.S. and Tennessee constitutions and the City of Knoxville charter and ordinances.

Smith and Kincannon both thanked the departing council members for their service. Outgoing members acknowledged by name during the ceremony included Councilman Tommy Smith (vice mayor, outgoing), Councilman Andrew Roberto, Councilwoman Seema Singh, Councilwoman Lauren Ryder and Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie.

The program also included an invocation by Reverend Sam Brown of Logan Temple AME Zion, a musical selection by Lehi Smith of the city's Parks and Recreation team, a poem read by Knoxville Poet Laureate Linda Parsons, and a closing prayer by Reverend Jerry Askew. After the ceremony, Vice Mayor Smith invited attendees to a reception and announced a brief special called City Council meeting that would follow on stage.

No formal council votes or legislative actions were taken during the ceremony itself; the event's proceedings were ceremonial and procedural, focused on the oaths, remarks and presentations.

The next procedural step noted at the event was the special called City Council meeting announced to begin on the stage shortly after the ceremony.