On Monday, March 11, 2019, Council President Shannon Hardin opened the night’s meeting with the election of Elizabeth Brown as Council’s President Pro Tem and announced the 2019 committee structure for members to advance the Council’s strategic focus on building stronger neighborhoods.
“We are listening and focused on resolving the issues that residents bring to our doorstep,” said Council President Hardin. “As a City, there are policy areas that need our presence and advocacy, and we expect Council committees to help make sure that policy is reflective of the peoples’ will and voice. To reach specific goals, we restructured several committees to align more closely with the needs of the community.”
The new areas of focus include senior affairs, small and minority business and criminal justice. The new committees and chair assignments are as follows:
- President Shannon Hardin
- Rules and Reference, Small and Minority Business
- Council President Pro Tem Elizabeth Brown
- Finance, Recreation and Parks, Education
- Councilmember Mitchell Brown
- Public Safety and Veterans, Senior Affairs
- Councilmember Rob Dorans
- Public Utilities, Neighborhoods, Technology
- Councilmember Shayla Favor
- Public Service and Transportation, Criminal Justice and Judiciary, Housing
- Councilmember Emmanuel Remy
- Economic Development, Environment, Administration
- Councilmember Priscilla Tyson
- Zoning, Health and Human Services, Workforce Development
Councilmember Elizabeth Brown was elected president pro tempore. Per the City Charter, the president pro tempore acts as the presiding officer of Council in the absence of the president.
“Columbus is a growing city with tremendous opportunity, but we still have real work to do to break down the barriers of poverty for so many of our residents and to expand prosperity for all,” said Brown. “I’m more honored than ever to do this work alongside my colleagues, now as their President Pro Tem.”
Council President Hardin is looking forward to the future.
“As we strive to address the City’s emerging challenges, we must remember that leadership is about doing what is right. If we are only looking to resolve the issues of today, we will fail to prepare for tomorrow. I look forward to working this team on behalf of the people of Columbus,” said Hardin.
