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Thompson elected chair, Patterson named vice chair as supervisors set leadership and appointments
Summary
Ferguson Township supervisors elected Jeremy Thompson chair and Omari Patterson vice chair for 2026 in split votes, confirmed Tom King as interim township manager/secretary-treasurer and approved a slate of appointments and routine contracts including the police accreditation assistance agreement.
Jeremy Thompson was chosen to serve as chair of the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors for 2026 after two ballots, and Omari Patterson was confirmed as vice chair in a separate vote, the board decided Monday night.
Thompson, a sitting supervisor, won the final chair tally on the organizational meeting ballots. The board first appointed Township Manager Centresia Martin to serve as temporary chair to conduct nominations and the election. Thompson said, "I believe maintaining continuity of the chair role through the completion of the manager recruitment will best support the board's work and ensure a smooth and well coordinated process," explaining his preference for continuity amid an upcoming managerial transition.
After the chair election concluded, supervisors nominated and confirmed the vice chair. The board also confirmed that Tom King will serve as interim township manager and will assume the township’s secretary-treasurer duties effective Jan. 7.
Beyond officer elections, the board approved a slate of appointments to the township’s authorities, boards and commissions and ratified annual appointments for tax officials, legal counsel and consultants. The supervisors named Northwest Bank as the township's primary depository and directed investments to the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust. Those routine appointments and the ABC slate were adopted by voice vote.
On the consent agenda the board approved a short-term professional services agreement to help the police department complete Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) reaccreditation work ahead of the department’s May 2026 review. The proposed contractor, Mischief Managed LLC, was discussed with staff emphasizing contract language that disallows contractor oversight of internal operations and that guardrails will be reviewed with the solicitor.
The new chair thanked colleagues for their support and said he looks forward to working with the board and staff in 2026. The board adjourned the organizational meeting and continued into its regular meeting agenda.
What’s next: The board asked staff to circulate appointment details and to return any required paperwork or clarifying language for consultant contracts and committee assignments.
