City councilman Jon Billups is now the mayor of Burlington.
Billups was elected by a unanimous vote of his council peers during Monday night's (Jan. 6) council meeting.
Councilman Bill Maupin, who was sworn in last week, nominated Billups. No other candidates were nominated, though a formal ballot was still held.
“I’m humbled,” Billups said immediately after the motion became official. “I’m going to do my best. Unified, the five of us (city council members), even we have different opinions on different things, will work for the city.”
In Burlington, which has a manager-council system of governing, council members choose among their ranks who is the mayor and the mayor pro-tem rather than having those positions elected by a vote of the public. Under this system, the mayor is a voting member of the council but does not have the more extensive authority or responsibilities of a traditionally elected mayor.
Lynda Graham-Murray was elected as mayor pro-tem, winning a 3-2 vote over Matt Rinker. No other candidates were nominated for the position.
Billups, in his first action as mayor, nominated Graham-Murray for the position. He remarked on Graham-Murray’s meticulous eye for detail, saying that he often relies on her complete meeting notes.
“She writes everything down,” Billups said.
Critser nominated Rinker for pro-tem, but the two were outvoted by Maupin, Billups, and Graham-Murray, who voted for herself. Rinker also voted for himself, as did Billups.
Murray exchanged handshakes and hugs with her fellow council members after the vote, then spoke of her desire to do the best she can for the city.
Graham-Murray indicated she is contemplating a run at becoming the city's mayor and figured pro-tem would be a way to try out the role.
“I’m tickled pink. No, I’m just really excited,” Murray said.
Billups noted that all the council members have equal standing and voting power. Aside from a small pay bump for the mayor, the title is largely ceremonial.
“I just run the meetings,” Billups said.