The Lexington City Council swore in newly-elected Mayor Tom Hughes during its meeting on Tuesday, November 12.

Hughes beat out current Mayor Pro-Tem John Harden in the General Election on November 5. Hughes collected 717 votes, while Harden finished with 650. Write-in candidate Dale Doak came in third with 281 votes, while Paul Young was fourth with 133 votes in the race. Harden will remain the council’s Mayor Pro-Tem until his term expires.

In other news, the council renewed its existing agreement with Emergency Management Director Randall Hansen to keep him at his position. Half of Hansen’s salary is reimbursed by a grant from the State Emergency Management Agency, which was also authorized during the council meeting as well.