Galesburg has a new deputy mayor, but an amendment to the municipal code means they will temporarily serve in the position for just a year.
Seventh Ward Alderman Steve Cheesman was elected deputy mayor at Monday’s City Council meeting. He will replace Second Ward Council member Wayne Dennis, who had been serving the role since May 2023.
Under the previous ordinance, a new deputy mayor was elected in a vote of Council members on an annual basis. On Monday, aldermen approved an ordinance that will see a deputy mayor elected every two years, beginning May 2024. The move will coincide with each new election cycle.
Cheesman was the only candidate nominated to fill the position of deputy mayor. He was approved 5-0, with Cheesman abstaining and Fifth Ward Council member Heather Acerra not in attendance Monday.
The deputy mayor serves as the temporary chairman in the mayor’s absence and shall only have the powers of a presiding officer and a right to vote only in the capacity as a council member or trustee on any ordinance, resolution, or motion.
