From left, incoming Councilman Ron Wesel, alongside Charmel Wesel, shakes Mayor Josh Schlicher’s hand after being sworn into office at Thursday morning’s Marietta City Council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

MARIETTA — Marietta City Council opened the 2026-27 council term Thursday by swearing in three new members, reorganizing committees and unanimously approving the city’s operating budgets during a New Year’s Day special meeting at the Armory.

Newly elected council members Jeff Schultheis, Katie McGlynn and Ron Wesel were sworn in to begin two-year terms running from 2026 through 2027.

Each took an oath pledging to uphold both U.S. and Ohio constitutions and to “faithfully, honestly and impartially discharge the duties” of the council. Additionally, Jon Grimm, Ben Rutherford, Bill Gossett, Harley Noland and Susan Vessels returned as council members and council president, respectively.

Council designated the special session as a regular meeting and appointed Michele Newbanks as council clerk and selected Noland to serve as council president pro tempore.

Mayor Josh Schlicher congratulated the council and looked ahead to the year.

The 2026-2027 Marietta City Council members pose for a photo while Council Clerk Michele Newbanks takes the photo. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

“Happy New Year. I just want to say it’s an honor to swear you all in and I look forward to working with each and every one of you,” Schlicher said. “There are a lot of projects in the pipeline — a lot of things that are going to be completed in 2026, and probably a few that will carry over into 2027.”

Under Ordinance 1 (26-27), which suspended the second and third readings and was adopted unanimously, major departmental appropriations include $4.65 million for the police department and $3.17 million for the fire department were approved. Other appropriations approved included $2.09 million for street maintenance and repair; funding for lands, buildings and parks totaled $1.47 million, while council operations totaled $363,520 and the mayor’s office was funded at $198,960.

Other highlighted appropriations include $704,705 for the law director’s office, $150,525 for 911 dispatch and $500,000 for the Start Westward Monument Fund.

Infrastructure-related spending includes $9.58 million for the wastewater facilities upgrades and an additional $19.27 million for the Water Facilities Upgrade Fund.

Total expenditures under Ordinance 1 equal $69,444,306 across all city funds.

From left, Councilman Jeff Schultheis is sworn into office by Mayor Josh Schlicher at Thursday’s Marietta City Council meeting. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Council also unanimously adopted Ordinance 2 (26-27) – again suspending second and third readings – approving the 2026 budget for Marietta Municipal Court operations. Total expenditures under Ordinance 2 equal $2,086,955.

“This budget is for court revenue and expenses,” said Grimm. “The court asked for significantly less from the general fund this year compared with last year, and they’ve done a good job managing their expenses.”

Council further approved Resolution 1 (26-27), authorizing the city to sell surplus municipal property through online auctions during the 2026 calendar year.

“This just gives the city authorization,” said Grimm. “We don’t have anything to sell right now, but we want this in place.”

Council finalized standing committee assignments for the 2026-27 term:

From left, incoming Councilwoman Katie McGlynn is sworn into office by Mayor Josh Schlicher during Thursday morning’s Marietta City Council meeting at the Armory. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

* Employee Relations — Chair: Ron Wessel; Members: Jon Grimm, Jeff Schultheis

* Finance — Chair: Jon Grimm; Members: Bill Gossett, Harley Noland

* Planning, Zoning, Annexation and Housing — Chair: Harley Noland; Members: Jeff Schultheis, Ben Rutherford

* Police and Fire — Chair: Jeff Schultheis; Members: Ben Rutherford, Katie McGlynn

* Public Lands and Buildings — Chair: Katie McGlynn; Members: Jon Grimm, Ron Wessel

* Streets and Transportation — Chair: Bill Gossett; Members: Katie McGlynn, Ron Wessel

* Water, Sewer and Sanitation — Chair: Ben Rutherford; Members: Bill Gossett, Harley Noland

The next regular meeting of Marietta City Council is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Armory.