As the New Year begins, so does a new chapter for the Owatonna City Council with their 2025 Organizational Meeting scheduled for January 7. This meeting, integral to local governance, will see the swearing in of individuals elected during the 2024 General Election. Among them is Matt Jessop, the newly elected Mayor, who joins re-elected members Doug Voss (Council Member at Large) and Kevin Raney (Council Member Ward 4), alongside newly elected Don McCann (Council Member Ward 2).

The meeting is set to determine the Council's leadership for the year, with members selecting the new Council President and Vice President. Additionally, essential annual organizational designations will be addressed. These include the selection of depositories and signatories, appointment of the Responsible Authority for data practices, endorsement of the official newspaper of record, and assignment of the inspector for weed, junk, and nuisance violations. Furthermore, council appointments to boards and commissions will occur, underscoring the importance of these roles in maintaining the city's operations and standards.

In an effort to foster transparency and civic engagement, Owatonna residents are encouraged to either attend this pivotal meeting in person or access it online via Owatonna.gov. The meeting promises to set the tone for governance and civic responsibilities as the community looks forward to the developments of the coming year.