Voters in three Holmes County villages this week chose the officials who will manage day-to-day municipal affairs, from council deliberations to oversight of public utilities. The elections returned a mix of uncontested winners in smaller contests and closely fought council races in Killbuck, underscoring both the small scale of village politics and the practical importance of local officeholders.

In Glenmont, Dusty Lint prevailed in the contest for mayor (unexpired term) with 39 votes, accounting for 100 percent of ballots cast in that race, and Rosemarie Miller took a council seat with 37 votes running unopposed. The unopposed outcomes in Glenmont reflect a common pattern in small villages where a narrow pool of candidates often means incumbents or single challengers run without opposition; those elected will assume responsibility for municipal governance and any unfinished business tied to the unexpired term.

Killbuck’s village council race produced the largest raw vote totals in the county contests and the tightest margins. Voters selected four council members: Dick Patterson led with 101 votes (26.37 percent), followed closely by Lisa Kauffman with 100 votes (26.11 percent) and Tyler McCombs also with 100 votes (26.11 percent). Cindy E. Miller rounded out the four winners with 82 votes (21.41 percent). Separately, Abbie Allison was elected to the Killbuck Board of Public Affairs with 129 votes, running unopposed for that seat and receiving 100 percent of the vote. The near-tie among the top three council vote-getters will shape how the council allocates committee responsibilities and priorities, with slim differences potentially influencing leadership choices and policy direction.

In Holmesville, voters chose Kodi Green (46 votes, 29.49 percent), Dustin L. Raber (42 votes, 26.92 percent), Mandy L. Brown (40 votes, 25.64 percent) and JT Baker-Ferkan (28 votes, 17.95 percent) to fill council seats. Greg Green secured the Holmesville Board of Public Affairs seat with 62 votes, capturing 100 percent of the vote in that race. These officials will take on tasks typical of village councils and utility boards: overseeing budgets, local ordinances, road maintenance and the management of water and sewer services.

For residents across Holmes County, these results affect the administration of everyday services that shape quality of life. Decisions about infrastructure maintenance, utility rates and community planning are often made at the village level, so the composition of these councils and boards matters for near-term operational choices. The mix of uncontested races and narrow victories also highlights ongoing challenges for civic engagement in small communities: a small electorate means each vote carries outsized weight, while a limited candidate pool can concentrate responsibility among a few individuals.

As the newly elected officials assume their roles, attention will turn to their first meetings and any immediate measures to address local needs. The outcomes in Glenmont, Killbuck and Holmesville will determine who sets those agendas and how responsive village government will be to residents’ priorities in the months ahead.