York City Council elects Aquinas Washington president, names Betsy Buckingham vice president

The City of York Council on Jan. 6 elected Aquinas Washington as council president and Betsy Buckingham as vice president during its reorganization meeting, setting leadership and procedural arrangements for the council through January 2028.

Betsy Buckingham introduced the resolution appointing Aquinas Washington, which carried on a roll-call vote after nominations and discussion. A subsequent resolution formally named Buckingham vice president and was approved by roll call. The clerk read the effective terms in both resolutions, each running through January 2028 as recorded in the meeting materials.

Council also approved a seating chart that places the president at the center of the table, and adopted a voting order that will have the president vote last. Both measures were approved by unanimous roll-call votes after brief discussion about accommodating the newly seated member.

On rules, council voted to adopt the 2024–2025 council rules on an interim basis so new members could review proposed updates. The council then referred proposed 2026–2027 rules and liaison assignments to the Jan. 28 committee meeting for further review and formal action at a later legislative meeting.

Council members offered brief remarks after votes. President Washington acknowledged the transition, and members congratulated newly seated officials and encouraged collaboration. The clerk announced upcoming meeting dates and agenda deadlines before the council moved to a public hearing on a zoning ordinance amendment.

What’s next: Interim rules will remain in effect while the proposed 2026–2027 rules are reviewed at the Jan. 28 committee meeting; seating and voting orders will apply to future roll calls.