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PARKERSBURG — Some members aren’t tipping their hands ahead of tonight’s vote for president and vice president, but two have indicated their support for first-year Councilman Andrew Borkowski to lead Parkersburg City Council in 2026.

The president and vice president are selected by members at the last meeting of each year. The president runs the meetings and makes committee assignments, while the vice president fills in in their absence and traditionally chairs the Committee of the Whole.

The votes are the first item on the agenda for today’s meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. in council chambers on the second floor of the Municipal building.

Council’s longest-serving member, Mike Reynolds, was chosen as president this year. He said Monday he’s asked not to be nominated for that job or vice president for 2026 and would support Borkowski as president.

“I think he would do a good job in that role,” Reynolds said. “Let somebody new learn a thing or two.”

Appointed to the vacant District 9 seat in July, council’s newest member, Rob Moore, said he intends to nominate Borkowski.

“I’m looking for some new blood for the president, someone that hasn’t been on it very long,” Moore said. Borkowski is “young; he’s got all kinds of energy; he’s got a bunch of good ideas.”

Borkowski declined to comment before the meeting.

Councilwoman Sharon Kuhl said she will wait to see who is nominated but has an idea of what she’s looking for.

“We need a fresh face as president. We need a face that is going to move City Council forward in a positive manner, not only council but with the public.,” she said.

Kuhl said there’s been negativity brought on council from the outside this year, some of it justified but most not.

“We need to do what we are elected to do,” she said. “And No. 1 priority should always be what is in the best interest of the City of Parkersburg … and its citizens.”

Council has received criticism this year over limiting the public forum to agenda items only, a change some members said they were voting for due to misinformation being spread.

Councilman Zak Huffman said he’s made no commitments to support anyone for president or vice president but the public forum issue will be important in his consideration.

“I will be voting for the person who’s going to prioritize bringing back public forums,” he said.

Reynolds said he would support Councilman Roger Brown to continue as vice president.

Councilwoman Wendy Tuck and Councilman Chris Rexroad declined to comment on president and vice president.

Brown and Councilman Dave McCrady did not return calls seeking comment Monday.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com