Local officials sworn in, Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson says, “It’s time to get moving.”

Starting a few minutes after noon on New Year’s Day in Bloomington’s city hall, the mayor, city clerk, city councilmembers, and the Ellettsville clerk treasurer were sworn into office to start four-year terms.

The chambers were packed, including the upper level, leaving some to stand in the lobby.

First to be sworn in was Bloomington city clerk Nicole Bolden. Administering the oath was Monroe County circuit court judge Valeri Haughton, who is Bolden’s mother.

That set up Bolden to administer the oaths of office for some of the other officials.

Bookending the proceedings was the swearing in of Ellettsville clerk treasurer Noelle Conyer.

When Conyer’s turn was reached on the program, Bolden said, “I think it is easy for us in Bloomington to forget that we in Monroe County host several communities, and so it is my distinct honor and pleasure to next administer the oath for my colleague and counterpart in Ellettsville.”

Before the ceremony started, Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson delivered remarks lasting about seven minutes.

Thomson thanked outgoing mayor John Hamilton: “I want to thank Mayor John Hamilton, his team and the outgoing members of our city council, many of whom are here today, for your work and getting us here. We appreciate all you’ve done and will continue to do for Bloomington.”

In contrast to the ceremony four year ago, when Hamilton unveiled a plan to increase the local income tax for Monroe County,  Thomson did not take the occasion to reveal new policy initiatives. She stuck to the themes of her campaign, which stressed a collaborative and inclusive approach to government.

Like many cities, our past debts include frustrations, failures and fractures. But today we begin anew, a new team. It’s time to move forward and embrace our expansive horizon of possibilities, to dream big dreams and create the Bloomington that we all want to live in, the one we want to give to our children and our grandchildren.
…
As your mayor, my mission is to bring this community together, like we are today, around the visions that we share, and turn that vision together into a reality. We’ll do this by listening to one another and inviting all people and perspectives to the table. That means making our government more transparent and accessible. It means seeking input from every corner of our community before plans are made. It means unleashing the talent of our city workers to find new and innovative ways to serve the public from the bottom up. We will do it by building new alliances and restoring old ones.
…
We will double down on all the things that make Bloomington Bloomington—our arts, our music, our cultural scene, our parks and trails, a world class school system and world renowned research university, an active and progressive business community and a network of nonprofits, charities and faith communities that support us all.
…
It’s time to move forward. It’s time to get moving. And it’s time to build an even better Bloomington, for us and for generations to come. Thank you for this opportunity. Let’s get sworn in and then let’s get to work together.

Thomson gave a nod to the composition of the next edition of the city council when she said, “As we look to our shared future, I’m thrilled to be entering public life alongside the most diverse city council we have ever seen.”

In District 5 representative Shruti Rana, the council includes its first ever woman of color. For the first time ever, this edition of the council includes a majority of women. In addition to Rana, the other four women sworn in on Monday were: Isabel Piedmont-Smith (District 1), Kate Rosenbarger (District 2), Hopi Stosberg (District 3), and Sydney Zulich (District 6).

Rounding out the set of councilmembers who took the oath were at-large representatives Matt Flaherty, Andy Ruff, and Isak Asare.

District 4 representative Dave Rollo confirmed to The B Square that he had been in Michigan over the holidays and was marooned there due to the weather. Rollo’s plan is for Bolden to administer the oath on Tuesday.

Photos: Jan. 1, 2024 Swearing-in Ceremony