Cincinnati City Council unanimously elects president pro tem, appoints clerk and adopts rules and committee assignments

The newly seated Cincinnati City Council completed organizational business during the inaugural session, unanimously approving a slate of motions submitted by Vice Mayor Jan Michelle Lemon Kearney.

Vice Mayor Jan Michelle Lemon Kearney moved to elect Scotty Johnson as president pro tem for the 2026 council term; a roll-call vote requested by the presiding official recorded "yes" from each listed council member and the mayor announced, "It passes." All named council members — Albee; Kramer Ding; James; Jeffries; Johnson; Kearney; Nolan; Owens; Walsh — were recorded voting yes.

Kearney also moved to appoint Anthony J. Covington as clerk of council for the 2026 term pursuant to Article 2, Section 5(a) of the charter; the council again approved the motion by roll call with unanimous yes votes. After adoption, Covington came forward and was sworn in by solicitor Emily Smart Warner.

The council adopted the rules of council as previously amended by the immediate past council, with a replacement to Rule 10.2 (standing committee in whole) as described in the motion. That motion passed by unanimous roll call.

Finally, the mayor submitted a motion listing committee assignments and meeting schedules for the 2026–2028 term; the council approved the appointments by unanimous roll call.

What this means: The votes completed standard organizational steps required at the start of a council term; each motion passed on unanimous recorded votes. No policy ordinances or budget measures were decided during the ceremony; substantive policy proposals announced by the mayor will require later legislative action and possible ordinance drafting or hearings by the council.