New City Commission Sworn in, Mayor Pro Tem Picked After Split Vote

At the Traverse City commission organizational meeting Monday, three newly elected commissioners took their oaths and Mayor Amy Shamroe was sworn in for another term. Commissioners Laura Ness, Lance Boehmer, and Kenneth Funk joined the panel, and commissioners selected Ness to serve as mayor pro tem following a two-ballot contest that revealed a narrow and shifting majority.

The first nomination for mayor pro tem, offering the role to Commissioner Heather Shaw, failed on a 3 to 4 vote with Shaw, Jackie Anderson, and Boehmer supporting Shaw, and Shamroe, Funk, Ness, and Commissioner Mitch Treadwell opposed. After the first vote failed, the commission then approved Ness 5 to 2 as mayor pro tem, with Shaw and Anderson casting the two opposing votes. The mayor pro tem presides over meetings in the mayor's absence and can affect meeting flow and agenda management.

The selection process highlighted continuing tensions on the previous commission and questions about experience and tradition in leadership roles. Commissioner Anderson described Shamroe's decision to support Ness for mayor pro tem as a "break with tradition," and she cited a previous consultant's analysis that communications were "fractured" among commissioners. Anderson argued that a more "experienced commissioner" is usually proposed for the position and suggested that the new commission configuration offered an opportunity for a "fresh start."

Mayor Shamroe acknowledged past challenges and pointed to changes in staff leadership and several newly elected commissioners who bring varied backgrounds to the panel. Ness arrives on the commission with experience chairing two city boards, including the Hickory Hills Advisory Committee and the Recreational Authority. Describing herself as a "fiercely independent thinker," Ness said she did not want to have "perceived sides or factions" on the commission and stated, "Every decision that we make must serve the long-term interests of the city," adding, "That's the oath that we just took."

Commissioners also approved a slate of board assignments that will influence municipal policy across multiple areas. Boehmer and Ness were appointed to Traverse City Light and Power, positioning two new commissioners to influence utility policy and capital planning. Shaw was named to the Traverse City Arts Commission and to the Grand Traverse County Economic Development Corporation while also representing the city on the county township association. Funk received appointments to the Brown Bridge Advisory Committee and the Recreational Authority. Ness will move from a city resident role to the commission representative slot on the Hickory Hills Advisory Committee, creating an open seat for a city resident. Jerry Swanson was designated as the administrative official to the Traverse City Planning Commission, and Interim City Manager Benjamin Marentette or his designee was assigned to the Grand Traverse County Board of Public Works.

These personnel decisions matter to residents because they determine who will shape policy on utilities rates and infrastructure, park use and preservation, arts funding, economic development incentives, and planning approvals. The votes also reveal the balance of alliances on the commission and set the tone for how the body will negotiate policy tradeoffs. With a mix of newcomers and veterans, the commission faces the immediate challenge of translating campaign mandates into coordinated governance while addressing the communication concerns raised by the consultant report. The appointments and leadership choices made Monday will be the first test of whether the new majority can deliver consensus on long term priorities for Traverse City.