SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Common Council announced that during their annual organizational meeting on Monday night, they elected the council officers for 2025.

The council selected Canneth Lee as Council President, Rachel Tomas Morgan to as Vice President, and Troy Warner as Chair of the Committee of the Whole.

President Lee, Vice President Morgan, and Chair Warner issued this statement:

"We are deeply grateful to Councilmembers McBride and Niezgodski for their dedication and leadership as our Council President and Vice President over the past three years. We begin 2025 with the highest regard for the unique voices of all nine council members as elected leaders in our community and with the understanding that the job of councilmembers is not easy, especially in these highly polarized times.

However, we are committed to working collaboratively and leading with transparency as we continue to work for greater results for all South Bend. We will work to strengthen communication across our legislative body and the administration and to build trust within our communities through honest and open listening and engagement with residents.

As the baton of leadership is passed to us, we know that we will not always agree, but let us listen and seek to understand each other, and when we disagree, do so with respect.

There is much work left to do, but we also know that each year can be a better year full of promise for our city – if we work together. We ask our Council colleagues, the residents, the city staff, and the mayor for their assistance and support in these efforts."