New Year, New Term: Highlights from Harrison City Council | January 6
- alstaiger
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 13
Harrison City Council opened the year with its first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, January 6, marking the start of a new council term and a series of updates focused on the year ahead.
New Council Members Sworn In
A new year brings new beginnings and the start of a new term for Harrison City Council. Mayor Ryan Grubbs opened the meeting by swearing in Tanner Dole, Patty Van Cleve, Ed Whitt, and Bill Neyer, officially welcoming them to City Council following the November 2025 general election.
Each member was elected to serve a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Dole and Van Cleve continue their service on Council, while Whitt begins his first term.
Neyer returns to City Council after previously serving as mayor of the City of Harrison, bringing experience and familiarity with city operations as the new term begins.
Council also voted to appoint Tanner Dole as vice mayor for the 2026 term. More details on the role and what it means for the City will be shared in a future interview.
Statehouse Update from Cindy Abrams
Council welcomed Cindy Abrams for a legislative update from the Ohio Statehouse. Abrams, who previously served on Harrison City Council, congratulated newly sworn-in members and shared updates on state priorities, including the capital budget and property tax reforms.
She also highlighted legislation passed during the past year that she worked on or supported, particularly related to public safety, and noted that projects submitted by the City of Harrison are under consideration at the state level.
Residents interested in learning more about legislation passed at the state level in 2025 can find bill summaries and updates on the Ohio General Assembly’s website here.
Library Programs and New Services Announced
Council heard from Shannon Eck of the Harrison Branch Library, who shared several upcoming programs and service improvements designed to serve residents of all ages.
Highlights included:
Movers and Shakers, a music and movement story time for children ages four and under, held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
A teen DIY STEM project, making lip balm, on Thursday (Jan. 15) at 3:30 p.m.
The rescheduled Newport Aquarium WAVE shark program Meet a Coral Cat Shark, on Saturday (Jan. 17) at 1:00 p.m.
The launch of a new holds locker system beginning Wednesday (Jan. 8), allowing patrons to pick up library materials outside regular hours
Mayor’s Report Highlights Community Support
Mayor Grubbs took time to recognize the continued generosity of the community in supporting the Harrison Mayor’s Community Fund, which provides assistance to residents in need. He shared appreciation for local organizations, businesses, and individuals who contributed throughout the year, noting the meaningful impact those donations have across the Harrison community.
During the meeting, the City also received the first Mayor’s Fund donation of 2026. Jean Wilson, on behalf of the American Legion, presented a $2,500 contribution, sharing that it felt fitting for the organization’s first donation of the year to support the Mayor’s Fund, given its long-standing commitment to the Harrison community.
Mayor Grubbs also encouraged residents to attend the Greater Harrison Chamber of Commerce Job Fair on Wednesday (March 5) at the Harrison High School Activity Center, highlighting the Chamber’s ongoing work to connect employers with job seekers and support the local workforce.
Community Center Improvements Move Forward
Council added an item to the agenda to award a contract for site work related to Harrison Community Center improvements, including the future splash pad project.
As part of the project, the Harrison Community Center playground will be closed beginning Monday (Jan. 12) as construction on the splash pad gets underway. A map of the construction area is included below, and additional project updates will be shared on the City website as work progresses.
Looking Ahead
Mayor Grubbs closed the meeting by thanking City Administrator Kim Downey for her efforts in leading a recent orientation session for directors and council members. The session provided an overview of city operations, departmental responsibilities, and the annual budget, helping set the foundation for collaboration as the new council term begins.
The first meeting of the year reflected a shared sense of progress as the Harrison community looks ahead to the opportunities of 2026.
Article written by Amy Staiger.
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