Cr Brian Klowss was elected as the Mayor of Horsham Rural City Council, at Thursday night's Statutory meeting. Cr Klowss was the only nomination for Mayor, which meant no vote was required.
Cr Klowss had previously stepped in as Acting Mayor in October this year when Cr Ian Ross took a leave of absence. Cr Ross was elected as Mayor following last year's local government elections.
In addition to the election of Cr Klowss as Mayor, Cr Sluggett was also elected as Deputy Mayor, with both roles set to serve a 12-month term.
In his acceptance speech, Cr Klowss expressed his gratitude to the Council and staff, and shared his enthusiasm for the year ahead.
"The reason I'm standing here today is because I have a dedicated team behind me. The commitment of this council is clear, and I'm excited about what we can achieve together. To my fellow councillors: thank you for your collaboration and your commitment to Horsham,".
"Our council is driving change. We're transforming Horsham into a place to call home and to do business," said Cr Klowss.
"We are here because of the people of Horsham. They are the ones who put us here. They are the ones we serve. And every decision we make, every policy we pursue, every dollar we spend, the people of Horsham must be at the front of our minds. Always," he added.
Cr Sluggett and Cr Wilson were both nominated for the role of Deputy Mayor, demonstrating their readiness and enthusiasm to take on greater leadership within the Council. Cr Sluggett was elected as Deputy Mayor and will step in for the Mayor during any periods of absence or other commitments. In her speech, Cr Sluggett shared her passion for advocacy and supporting local businesses.
"Over the past year, I've had the opportunity to attend numerous conferences and events, and I'm excited to continue building on those connections," Cr Sluggett said. "I also believe it's important for us to spend time engaging with business owners throughout Horsham to better understand their needs and how we can support them."
The election of both Mayor and Deputy Mayor marks a positive and exciting time for Horsham Rural City Council, as they continue to work together to enhance the region and meet the needs of the community.
