(from left) Third Ward Councilman Michael Varner, Mayor Craig Thompson, and First Ward Councilman Gavin Mills took the oath of office Thursday, Apr. 23, and assumed their seats at the Marshall City Council meeting. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)

A full house was on hand Thursday, Apr. 23 as Craig Thompson took the oath of office for a full term as mayor of Marshall, while two new faces joined the Marshall City Council.

Thompson says he’s ready to get to work with a four-year term ahead of him.

Alongside Thompson were new councilmen Gavin Mills in the first ward and Michael Varner in the third ward. Thompson says the the new faces will bring fresh perspectives to the council.

Carter Fawkes returned as councilman for the fourth ward, while Jim Papreck continues to represent the second ward. Thompson noted that he continues to consider options to fill the vacant seat also in the second ward, nearly a month after the resignation of Nathan Swisher.

Harold Simmons was selected as the new mayor pro tem. The bulk of Thursday’s business was handled by the outgoing council, who formally accepted the election results and gave first reading to a water rate increase sought by Marshall Municipal Utilities. The council also awarded the cold mill and overlay bid for this year’s streets program to Capital Paving, totaling $655,855, after it was determined that the firm with the lowest submitted bid did not meet all of the city’s conditions.