COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus City Council unanimously re-elected Councilmember Shannon Hardin as council president Monday during its annual reorganization meeting, a largely procedural session that also welcomed a new member and installed new committee leadership for 2026.

The council voted 9-0 to elect Hardin to a new term as president after first electing Toya Johnson as temporary president to oversee the vote. Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla nominated Hardin for the permanent post. Councilmember Rob Dorans was elected president pro tempore on a unanimous vote after a nomination by Councilmember Christopher Wyche.

Johnson was appointed city clerk effective Jan. 5, and Talia Brown was appointed city treasurer, both on unanimous votes.

The council then read into the record its committee assignments for the year. New Councilmember Tiara Ross, who fills the seat vacated by Shayla Favor after Favor was elected county prosecutor, was named chair of the Housing, Homelessness and Building Committee and vice chair of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee. Hardin, who previously chaired the housing committee, will serve as its vice chair.

“I intend to remain highly active and support her work,” Hardin said of Ross’s new role. “Housing continues to be one of my strongest policy priorities.”

Ross’s appointment marks the end of a temporary appointment by Councilmember Otto Beatty, who held the seat for the past year.

Other committee assignments remained largely unchanged. Councilmember Nick Bankston will chair the Economic Development and Small & Minority Business Committee and the Finance and Governance Committee. Councilmember Melissa Green will chair the Health, Human Services and Equity Committee. Councilmember Nancy Day-Achauer will chair the Neighborhoods, Recreation and Parks Committee. Councilmember Emmanuel Remy will chair the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee. Councilmember Barroso de Padilla will chair the Public Service and Transportation Committee. Councilmember Wyche will chair the Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee. Hardin will chair the Rules and Policy Committee. Dorans will chair the Workforce, Education and Labor Committee and the Zoning Committee.

In brief remarks after the votes, Hardin described the current political climate as a period of “defederalization,” in which the federal government is stepping back and cities are being looked to for leadership on basic needs.

“It’s the greatest honor of my life I get to, for two more years, do that work to take care of the least of these,” Hardin said.

The meeting adjourned without other business.