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Mark Irvine, who represents District E on the Bogalusa City Council, was chosen Tuesday to serve as council president for the 2020 calendar year.

Current council vice president Danielle Keys, who represents District B, will also serve another year as vice president.

During the council’s regular meeting Tuesday night, City Attorney Dale Branch led the selection process for the council’s officers. The new officers will take over their roles starting with the Tuesday, Jan. 7, city council meeting.

On Tuesday night, Branch asked for nominations from the current council members. Kenny Kellis nominated Irvine for president, and that was the only name announced before the council voted to close the nominations.

Irvine was then elected to serve as president, by a 7-0 vote.

Branch then asked for nominations for vice president. Teddy Drummond nominated Keys, and Gloria Kates nominated herself. The council then voted to close nominations.

Keys was approved to serve another year as vice president, by a 6-1 vote. Kates was the lone vote against.

Drummond is the outgoing council president.

The council president presides over meetings, and the vice president fills in that role when the president is unable to attend.

In other business, the council:

• Introduced an ordinance to authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with Central Service Association related to the Utility Billing Services. This ordinance will be open for public comment and then voted upon at the next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
• Approved an ordinance adopting the City of Bogalusa Operating Budget and Capital Budget for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The ordinance approved 6-1, with only Kates voting against it.

The next meeting of the Bogalusa City Council will be held Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bogalusa City Hall, located at 214 Arkansas St.