Laurel Lutz elected council president (mayor) and Ben Van Dyke named mayor pro tem in Grand Junction

The Grand Junction City Council selected Laurel Lutz as council president (ex officio mayor) and Ben Van Dyke as council president pro tem (ex officio mayor pro tem) during a special meeting on May 6.

Laurel Lutz was nominated and elected unanimously 7-0 to serve as council president; council members moved directly from nominations to a roll-call vote that produced unanimous approval. The mayoral duties in Grand Junction are performed by the council president under the city's council–manager form of government and the council emphasized the president's role as meeting chair and community representative.

For the mayor pro tem position, the council first considered a nomination for Jason Wynne, which failed in a 4-3 roll call. A subsequent nomination for Ben Van Dyke passed 4-3; Van Dyke then participated in an oath of office and a brief swearing-in ceremony before the council took a recess.

Council members praised both nominees. In discussion about the mayoral selection, a council member said of the incoming mayor: "She has been fantastic over this last year. Really a partner... She's very engaged with the community." After the mayor pro tem vote, the council recessed so newly sworn leaders could complete ceremonial duties.

The leadership changes take effect immediately following the swearing-in performed on the dais.