Taylor City Council Regular Meeting and Swearing-In Ceremony

The Taylor City Council convened on November 4, 2026, for a regular council meeting and a subsequent swearing-in ceremony for newly elected officials. The session included the unanimous approval of a large consent calendar covering city purchases, a first reading of updated ethics standards, public commentary on the recent election, and the formal inauguration of the city council, clerk, treasurer, and mayor.

Consent Calendar

The council approved 12 items unanimously:

• 6.1: Received and filed a conditional contract rezoning case.
• 6.2: Approved $16,199 to National Faith Home Buyers for down payment assistance (the 7th homebuyer assisted in 2026).
• 6.3: Approved $19,313 for Fire Mutual Aid Association dues.
• 6.4: Approved $9,528 for five chainsaws and accessories for the fire department (amending purchase authority by $560).
• 6.5: Approved $8,005 to Molar Wall Solutions for fire department radio batteries.
• 6.6: Approved $3,720 for mounting brackets for fire department monitors.
• 6.7: Approved $32,310 for medical and fire service reporting software maintenance.
• 6.8: Received and filed an invoice for $12,228 from Apollo Fire for engine repairs.
• 6.9: Approved $8,000 to West Metro Doors for a new DPW bay door.
• 6.10: Approved $2,000 for police crash investigation training from Michigan State Police.
• 6.11: Approved $4,370 for CMV enforcement training.
• 6.12: Approved $274,440 for an excavator and trailer via Sourcewell, a nationwide government bid system which guarantees best pricing.

Public Comments & Testimony

A Taylor resident addressed the council. The speaker complimented Clerk Cindy Bauer on the election but criticized an unnamed council member for allegedly telling residents the school board "stole 130 million dollars" and urging votes against a millage. The speaker argued this harmed property values and expressed disappointment.

Discussion Items

6.13 — First Reading of Standards of Conduct Amendment: The Board of Ethics presented a two-year revision of the ordinance. Updates included adjusting the quorum requirement for the 5-member board from four to three, aligning the annual report deadline with the fiscal year, and clarifying hearing procedures and definitions based on experience from two major ethics complaints.

Election Recap: Clerk Cindy Bauer reported 23,924 voters turned out (47% of about 50,000 registered), with 4,335 early voters, 10,668 on election day, and 8,921 absentee. Council praised the clerk's office, specifically a pilot program using city employees at precincts with live state voter record laptops to resolve absentee ballot issues.

Veteran Recognition: The council recognized Vietnam War veteran Glenn Bondi (Corporal, US Marine Corps) and Korean War veteran Phil Frank Drum (Corporal, US Army), who shared their service experiences.

Community Announcements: Council promoted Veterans Day free admissions at the Henry Ford and Imagine Theater, a spaghetti dinner for the Veterans Museum, and a dueling pianos fundraiser for the Taylor Foundation for Excellence.

Swearing-In Ceremony

Following the regular meeting, the council held a swearing-in ceremony.

• Invocation: Pastor Ryan Bettinger gave the invocation.
• City Council: Oaths were administered by State Senator Erica Geis and Chief Judge Victoria Shackelford. Incoming council members included Chris Clark, William Patts, Gerald Thomas (the first African American elected to the council), Dan Wallace, Christian Armstrong, and Ron Tedy (Council Pro Tem). Charlie Johnson, the top vote-getter with 5,747 votes, was sworn in as Council Chairman.
• City Clerk: Cindy Bauer was sworn in by Senator Geis for her fourth consecutive term.
• City Treasurer: Nick Dragoni Sr. was sworn in by Judge Shackelford.
• Mayor: Tim Wooly was sworn in for his second consecutive term by Judge Shackelford. Mayor Wooly highlighted accomplishments including increased police staffing and new business growth, and promised upcoming announcements.

Key Outcomes

• The full consent calendar was approved, authorizing expenditures for fire, police, public works, and IT upgrades.
• The first reading of the revised Standards of Conduct ordinance was received and filed.
• All members of the incoming city council, clerk, treasurer, and mayor were formally sworn into office.
• Mayor Wooly indicated major new city projects would be announced in the coming weeks.