Ocala City Council elects new president, president pro-tem

Ocala City Council Member Kristen Dreyer is sworn in during the Ocala City Council meeting at Ocala City Hall in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

The Ocala City Council has elected Councilmember Barry Mansfield as president and Councilmember Kristen Dreyer as president pro-tempore for the 2023-2024 term.

Dreyer will take over for Mansfield as president pro-tem as he steps into the role to replace former council President Jim Hilty.

“I certainly appreciate your confidence and faith in me,” Mansfield said after the election results were announced at the Tuesday city council meeting.

Mansfield has served on the city council since his election in 2021. He is a graduate of Forest High School.

“I assure you that I will serve you and the city of Ocala and all its citizens faithfully and responsibly for the next year to come,” Mansfield told the audience.

The president of the city council’s duties are to sign all ordinances, contracts, agreements and paperwork; preside over meetings; and fill the role of mayor in the case of his absence, disqualification or disability.

In addition to her election as president pro-tem, Dreyer was sworn in for her second term on the city council after running unopposed in the 2023 election. Dreyer was first elected after winning the 2021 special election for District 4.

The president pro-tem’s duties are to fill the responsibilities of president in the absence, disqualification or disability of the president.

“I’m super excited to be serving for another four years,” Dreyer said at the swearing-in ceremony.

Dreyer brought up Forest High School senior Bailey Sage and Bailey’s mother Bethany Crawford to swear her in, honoring the student’s commitment to her education and community.

“Bailey and her mom truly exemplify what it’s like to be a citizen of Ocala,” Dreyer said. “There’s no other people than the two of you who I would have had stand up with me today.”

Dreyer, Councilmember Ire Bethea and the new Mayor Ben Marciano all took their oaths of office Tuesday. Marciano won after running unopposed and incumbent Bethea beat opponent Reginald Landers to be reelected and retain his District 2 seat.