.png)
The Town of Kingston Springs Board of Commissioners voted Thursday night to induct its first new mayor in a decade.
Commissioner Todd Verhoven was chosen to lead the town by his fellow board members during their monthly meeting on Dec. 19. Former Mayor Tony Gross did not seek reelection this year after serving in the post since 2014. Gross was first elected to the board in 2012.
“I am honored and excited to be chosen to represent my constituents as the mayor of Kingston Springs," Verhoven told the Gazette immediately following the vote. "I love this town, I love the people and I am proud to be raising my family here."
"I was lucky enough to watch great leaders before me navigate town business, so I feel prepared to tackle growing infrastructure issues with their continued support and mentorship," he added.
Verhoven was elected to serve as a city commissioner in 2022. His seat will be up for reelection in 2026.
Commissioner Mike Hargis was chosen during the meeting to serve as the next vice mayor with a vote of 2-1. Hargis was the single vote against himself. Former Vice Mayor Glenn Remick did not seek reelection after his single term in the second-in-command post. Remick served as vice mayor since 2020 and as a commissioner since 2012.
Hargis has served as city commissioner since 2018, and his seat will also be up for reelection in 2026.
Newly-elected Commissioner Lauren Hill was sworn in during the Dec. 19 meeting by Cheatham County Mayor Kerry McCarver.
Commissioner-elects Keith Allgood and Michael Coldwell were absent from their first meeting, with City Manager John Lawless noting that they both had prior holiday events and travel plans.
Lawless said Allgood and Coldwell will need to be sworn in by McCarver before they can conduct official city business at the board's next monthly meeting on Jan. 16.
Commissioners Hill, Allgood and Coldwell will serve four-year terms.