South Lebanon Council swears in members, elects Feder as vice mayor and names committees

South Lebanon City Council swore in new and returning members and completed organizational business at its meeting. The council seated Chris Hacker (city administrator), Linda Allen, Brenda Combs, Lisa Feder and David Nathan Smith III after members recited oaths, with David Smith's oath noting a full term beginning 01/01/2026 and ending 12/31/2029.

The most consequential leadership decision was the election of the vice mayor. After nominations, votes on Sharon Carmack and Lisa Feder produced a tie. Mayor Mary Burke said she must break the tie; she voted for Lisa Feder, who was declared vice mayor. The mayor presided over the roll-call voting and announced the result to the chamber.

Mayor Mary Burke also announced committee assignments for 2026 and named an ad hoc events committee to plan the city's 250th-birthday celebrations. Feder was named chair of the ad hoc committee; citizen members and council appointees were included to work across the year. The mayor directed all committee chairs to hold at least one meeting in the next couple months and to report back to council.

David Smith, newly seated, offered a personal introduction describing his local roots and service on the charter commission. "I have the honor to be the first charter commission member to be elected to the city council," he said, recounting family ties to the community and his intention to be accessible to residents.

The meeting closed with routine instructions about nameplates, committee open-meeting requirements, and disclosure filings for elected officials. The mayor reminded members to complete annual ethics and financial-disclosure forms and noted a $35 filing fee associated with those filings.

The council adjourned after completing organizational business and setting expectations for committee work going forward.