Harrisburg council affirms internal authority to appoint mayor pro tem, selects Aaron Banks

The Town of Harrisburg council debated and then appointed a mayor pro tem at its January meeting after a string of public comments calling for clarity and consistency.

Several residents urged that the council continue a long-standing practice of naming the top vote-getter to the mayor pro tem position. Dan Redding told the council his understanding "that it's been the town's tradition that the highest vote getter becomes the mayor pro tem," and urged the council to continue that precedent.

Mayor Jennifer Teague emphasized that selection of the mayor pro tem is an internal council decision governed by the town charter and state statute, and that council may use any criteria it chooses. She said the appointment "is solely and exclusively the elected council" and that the role is an internal, internal-facing assignment to fill in when the mayor cannot preside over a meeting.

Council members debated whether to adopt formal policy guidance at a future organizational meeting to remove ambiguity for residents. Several council members and public speakers urged greater transparency and consideration of precedent; one council member said an off‑cycle policy discussion would be useful so the process does not get revisited in public controversy.

Councilmember (Speaker 3) moved to nominate Aaron Banks as mayor pro tem and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the meeting record shows the motion carried with no roll-call tally taken.

Next steps: council members said they will revisit whether to codify selection criteria at an organizational meeting later in the year; appointment of the mayor pro tem does not change the mayor’s powers and is intended to provide a presiding officer when the mayor is absent.