Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Debbie Jones elected Rochester mayor as council swears in new members; mayor pro tem named
Summary
At its Nov. 25 meeting, the Rochester City Council swore in newly elected members, elected Councilmember Debbie Jones as mayor and Stuart Bixon as mayor pro tem, and briefly debated the council’s process for selecting leadership and planning commission appointments.
The Rochester City Council on Nov. 25 swore in newly elected members and chose its mayor and mayor pro tem for one-year terms. After taking oaths, the council voted to make Councilmember Debbie Jones mayor and Stuart Bixon mayor pro tem. The mayor’s term runs Nov. 25, 2025, through Nov. 24, 2026.
Jones received a majority on the first ballot and took the gavel after the clerk announced she had "received five votes, the mayor of the city of Rochester now belongs to Council Member Jones." Jones told the council she was “grateful to have your support” and pledged to continue initiatives begun under prior mayors, describing the council as "diverse" and committed to serving both residents and the business community.
Outgoing Mayor Nancy Salvia, who spoke during nominations, urged the council to consider formalizing succession planning for one-year leadership roles so new officeholders have mentoring and training. Salvia said the charter leaves the election method to council discretion and that she believes the council “can do better” to prepare mayors and mayor pro tems.
Stuart Bixon was nominated and elected mayor pro tem with six votes; the clerk announced, "Having received six votes, the mayor pro tem is Stuart Bixon." Bixon will serve the same one-year term.
The meeting included the formal swearing-in by Judge Laura of Stuart Bixon, Jessica Clauser, Christian Hower and Nancy Salvia. Several council members and residents used the public-comment period to urge the council to work collaboratively on planning and long-range projects, including the future of the former Rochester High School property.
The council also redirected its next procedural step, at the new mayor’s request, to nominate and consider a planning commission appointment to ensure the commission could meet on Dec. 1 with a full roster.
What happens next: Mayor Jones will preside over the council’s agenda going forward and said she would work to continue the city’s priorities and engage with residents and staff on succession and leadership planning.
