MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW) – City of Marion elected officials began a new term in office on New Year’s Day.

New City of Marion Mayor Bill Collins, center, takes the oath of office during a ceremony held Jan. 1, 2024, at Marion City Hall. Collins was joined by his wife Kris, left, and daughter Chandra Archer, right. Marion Municipal Court Judge Teresa L. Ballinger administered the oath to Collins.

Mayor Bill Collins, Law Director Mark Russell, and members of Marion City Council took the oath of office on Monday during a ceremony held at City Hall. Marion Municipal Court Judge Teresa L. Ballinger administered the oath of office for each official.

Collins succeeds former Mayor Scott Schertzer, who chose not to seek reelection after serving 16 years in the office. Collins is the former chief of the Marion Police Department and former chief deputy of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. This is his second foray into politics as an elected official. He previously served as a member of the Ridgedale Local Schools Board of Education.

Russell has served as law director for more than 27 years. He ran without opposition in the 2019 and 2023 general elections.

Auditor Miranda Meginness took her oath of office separately. She has stated her intention to resign from office effective Jan. 5 and is expected to become the transit director for the city.

Republican Mary Stoneburner is the new president of Marion City Council. She defeated independent candidate Theresa Lubke in the 2023 general election. Stoneburner succeeds Democrat Todd Schneider as city council president.

Republican Jason Schaber, 2nd Ward, Democrat Ayers Ratliff, 3rd Ward, and Republican Aaron Rollins, at-large, each won reelection to their respective seats on Marion City Council. They are the longest-serving and most experienced members of city council.

Mike Neff and Matthew Pollock, both Republicans, were elected to the other two at-large seats on council. Pollock was appointed to fill a vacant seat in 2023. Neff is the former 6th Ward councilman.

There are four new members of Marion City Council. They are Republicans Shawn Barr, 1st Ward; Twila Laing, 4th Ward; Thaddaeus Smith, 5th Ward; and Ronald Prater, 6th Ward.

Barr ran without opposition in the general election. Laing defeated Dana Hanif Booker, a Democrat. Smith defeated Democrat Cory Brown. Prater defeated Bart Wolfe, a Democrat.

The first regular meeting of the new city council is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 at Marion City Hall. To see the agenda for the meeting, go to marionohio.us. To listen to the audio recordings of Marion City Council meetings, go to the City of Marion Ohio YouTube channel.