Dublin City Council swears in new members, approves appointments and easement for Morris Bank

The Dublin City Council on Jan. 2 swore in returning council members Tess Godfrey and Sarah Colby and welcomed newly elected at-large member Brandon Chain, fulfilling a charter requirement to convene on the first business day after the election.

Judge Trey Taylor administered the oaths for the three council members. Duke Groover was reappointed and sworn in as city attorney after a motion to reappoint him received council approval.

The council approved routine business, including the Dec. 11, 2025 meeting minutes and bills over $15,000. Councilman Benny Jones was selected by council vote to serve as mayor pro tem for 2026, and Paul Griggs was chosen as chairman of council. The Dublin Courier Herald was named the city's official gazette for legal notices.

The mayor announced committee rosters for the coming year: Brandon Chain, Christopher Smith and Bill Brown were named to the finance committee; Chain, Tess Godfrey and Benny Jones to facilities; Christopher Smith, Paul Griggs and Bill Brown to personnel; and Sarah Colby, Paul Griggs and Tess Godfrey to parks. The mayor also named liaisons: Tess Godfrey to the housing authority, Benny Jones to the economic development authority, and Sarah Colby to the downtown development authority.

Council also addressed a federal Safe Streets for All grant planning effort. The mayor appointed Councilman Brandon Chain to represent council on the stakeholder committee for the grant, described in the meeting as the start of a multi-million-dollar planning process to improve street safety in the southside and Scottville neighborhoods.

On a separate motion, council adopted Resolution 26-01, granting Morris Bank a utilities easement to install a natural gas generator adjacent to its annex in Centennial Plaza on tax parcel D16D045. The resolution was read aloud and approved by voice vote.

During the citizen comment period Jacqueline Denise Jadon White presented a symbolic 'landing lantern' and addressed the council briefly. The mayor noted the personnel committee's recommendation to appoint Dorothy Roseir as city clerk and said the formal swearing-in will take place at the next council meeting.

Council members closed the meeting with brief New Year remarks, encouraging collaboration and outlining priorities including parks revitalization, safety and economic development. Councilman Benny Jones highlighted an upcoming community banner program recognizing local leaders and said applications will be available online and at city hall.

Votes at a glance: - Approve Dec. 11, 2025 minutes — motion by Councilman Benny Jones; second by Councilman Bill Brown; approved by voice vote. - Approve bills over $15,000 — motion by Councilman Paul Griggs; second by Councilman Bill Brown; approved by voice vote. - Reappoint Duke R. Groover as city attorney — motion by Councilman Benny Jones; second by Councilman Bill Brown; approved by voice vote. - Appoint Benny Jones as mayor pro tem — motion moved (Christopher Smith); seconded (Tess Godfrey); approved by voice vote. - Appoint Paul Griggs as chairman of council — motion moved (Councilman Bill Brown); seconded (Sarah Colby); approved by voice vote. - Designate Dublin Courier Herald as official gazette — motion seconded by Councilman Paul Griggs; approved by voice vote. - Committee and authority liaison appointments — motions moved and approved by voice vote. - Adopt Resolution 26-01 (easement to Morris Bank for natural gas generator at parcel D16D045) — motion by Councilman Paul Griggs; second by Sarah Colby; approved by voice vote.

The council adjourned after items and member remarks; the mayor said the city clerk swearing-in will be scheduled for the next council meeting.