Tega Cay swears in Carmen Miller as mayor; Heather Jones joins council, Thomas Heislip named mayor pro tem

Tega Cay — Carmen Miller took the oath of office as mayor at a special Tega Cay City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, and Heather Jones was sworn in as a council member. The council also elected Council Member Thomas Heislip as mayor pro tem and approved the city’s 2026 regular meeting schedule.

The meeting opened with a welcome and the pledge of allegiance; the presiding officer noted the agenda contained a 2025 date error and confirmed the correct meeting date as Jan. 5, 2026. The council approved the December minutes "as they are written" on a voice vote; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

Judge [name not specified] administered the oath for mayor, after which Miller signed the oath documents and was met with applause. Later in the meeting the council administered the oath to Heather Jones as a newly elected council member.

During the organizational business, a council member nominated Thomas Heislip for mayor pro tem. The nomination was seconded and approved by the council; Heislip was declared mayor pro tem. The council then voted to approve the 2026 regular council meeting schedule as presented.

Councilman Thomas Heislip offered brief remarks, saying he was "honored to be here serving for another four years" and expressing appreciation for community support. Mayor Carmen Miller thanked outgoing Mayor Gray and Council Member Shirley for their service and praised city staff, saying she wants the council to focus on forward motion, greater engagement and transparency.

With no further business, a motion to adjourn was made, seconded and carried.

What happened next: The meeting concluded the same evening; no formal hearings, ordinances or budget actions were taken.