The Salina City Commission reorganized Monday afternoon, with commissioners electing a new mayor and vice mayor.

Commissioner Aaron Householter, who has served as the vice mayor for the past year, is the new Mayor of Salina. Taking Householter’s spot as vice mayor is commissioner Jon Blanchard.

Householter takes over the gavel from outgoing mayor Barb Shirley.

Shirley thanked her fellow commissioners for their help and support during the last year. She said that it was a tough year personally for her, saying “I had two job changes, I lost my son, and my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer.” Shirley said that she especially wanted to thank Householter, who was always willing to help whenever she needed to be away.

Housholter spoke as well. He said that the city commission will continue to do its best to look after the tax dollars. “This has not been a rubber-stamp commission,” he said. He said that not only are they looking at doing what’s best for today, but for the future. Householter added that there haven’t been any “glamorous projects lately”, that they have been busy rebuilding and maintaining the city’s infrastructure.